Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

For more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_theorem_of_arithmet...

I agree that some mathematical objects are "more fundamental than others"; primes are probably among the most basic.

If you're interested in the ontological status of mathematical entities, and the process and meaning of mathematics, check out "The Mathematical Experience" by Davis and Hersh,

http://books.google.com/books?id=lMdz84dWNnAC&printsec=f...

There is a section on primes starting on page 209.



Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: