Abstract
The prime numbers play a central role in the theory of numbers. We show that Fermat’s theorem on primes may be proved using symmetry properties of Ising-spin configurations; and that similarly this may be extended to certain composite numbers. Our method of proof suggests a “physical” interpretation of the primes.
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References
C.S. Ogelvy and J.T. Anderson, Excursions in Number Theory, (Oxford University, New York, 1966).
S. W. Golomb, Am. Math. Mon. 63, 718 (1956).
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© 1982 American Association of Physics Teachers
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Gutfreund, H., Little, W.A. (1982). Physicist’s proof of Fermat’s theorem of primes. In: Cabrera, B., Gutfreund, H., Kresin, V. (eds) From High-Temperature Superconductivity to Microminiature Refrigeration. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0411-1_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0411-1_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-8040-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0411-1
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