Primorial
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For n ≥ 2, the primorial (n#) is the product of all prime numbers less than or equal to n. For example, 210 is a primorial which is the product of the first four primes multiplied together (2·3·5·7). The name is attributed to Harvey Dubner. The first few primorials are: 2, 6, 30, 210, 2310, 30030, 510510, 9699690, 223092870, 6469693230, 200560490130, 7420738134810, 304250263527210, 13082761331670030, 614889782588491410. (sequence A002110 in OEIS) They grow rapidly. The idea of multiplying all primes occurs in a proof of the infinitude of the prime numbers; it is applied to show a contradiction in the idea that the primes could be finite in number. Primorials play a role in the search for prime numbers in additive arithmetic progressions. For instance, 2236133941 + 23# results in a prime, beginning a sequence of thirteen primes found by repeatedly adding 23#, and ending with 5136341251. 23# is also the common difference in arithmetic progressions of fifteen and sixteen primes. Every highly composite number is a product of primorials (e.g. 360 = 2·6·30).
Table of primorials
See alsoReferences
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