GIMPS at NSU

2²-1 = 3 is prime

2³-1 = 7 is prime

2⁵-1 = 31 is prime

2⁷-1 = 127 is prime

2¹¹-1 = 2047 is NOT prime

Which prime exponents produce prime numbers?

The search is on to find the next large prime number. We have formed the NSU team as part of the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS). The NSU team is currently seeking computers on campus to work on the project. The program runs on individual computers at the lowest possible priority and makes use of the computer’s unused CPU cycles. It does not slow down your computer and runs whenever your computer is on.

NSU has over 1000 computers working on the project, but the team is asking others on campus to help with the research project by letting their computers be used. There is a $500 prize to the individual on the NSU team whose computer first finds a new prime number. The NSU team is currently in fourth place in overall production and is producing results at the second fastest rate in the world. We are moving up fast!

You can download the software by following the links on this page. Or I will be glad to come over to your office to assist. If you have any questions or need any help, please contact me, Darryl Linde, at (918) 444-3809 or linded@nsuok.edu.