Searches are being conducted for prime numbers of the forms k*b^n-1 and k*b^n+1.
Current efforts:
Riesel prime searches of the form k*2^n-1 are coordinated at www.rieselprime.org and managed by Riesel prime search. Searches of new ranges for k < 300 and k > 1001 as well as double checking of previously searched ranges for k<=1001 is being done.
"Conjectures 'R Us" project: This project was started by me to coordinate Riesel and Sierpinski conjecture searches for all bases (b) where 2<=b<=32 except for bases 2 and 5 plus additional bases that are powers of 2 up to b=256 at Conjectures 'R Us. The Riesel conjecture states that for all odd k < 509203, there exists at least one prime for each k-value for the expression k*2^n-1. The Sierpinski conjecture states the same for k < 78557 and the expression k*2^n+1. The conjectures can be generalized for all bases where a proof is needed for a conjectured lowest k that has already been proven composite for all n.
"No prime left behind" project: This project was started by me with assistance from Karsten Bonnath to cordinate Riesel prime searches of the form k*2^n-1 for 300<k<=1001 at No prime left behind. This k-range has been substantially ignored by the prime-searching community and we are playing catch up. This project found over 20 top-5000 primes in its first 2 weeks!
Twin prime searches of the form k*2^n-1 and k*2^n+1. A twin prime is defined as 2 primes with a difference of 2.
Prime quadruplet searches of the form k*2^n-1, k*2^n+1, k*2^n+5, and k*2^n+7. A prime quadruplet is defined as 4 primes greater than 3 with a total difference of 8.
Prime searches of the form k*10^n-1. A prime of this form can sometimes be a "near-repeat-digit" prime, which is defined as a prime with all of its digits the same except for one.
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Project links:
"Conjectures 'R Us": Project forum Home page
"No prime left behind": Project forum Home page
Come join us at either project! There are many files that are already prepared for prime-searching.
Links to detailed info.:
Twin primes k < 1M and n > 10K
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Notable discoveries:
40 large primes have been discovered that are currently in the top-5000 all-time largest list of primes shown at primes.utm.edu/primes.
The 9th largest twin prime of all time was discovered on 10/11/2007. It is 1046619117*2^100000-1 and +1.
The 4th largest prime quadruplet of all time was discovered on 10/25/2007. It is 2722420456827*2^3800-1, +1, +5, and +7. It is the #1 largest quad ever to contain a Riesel and Proth prime.
The 5th largest prime quadruplet of all time was discovered on 10/17/2007. It is 477707955423*2^3802-1, +1, +5, and +7. It is the #2 largest quad ever to contain a Riesel and Proth prime.