Amazing Number Facts No

No 11

Here is a remarkable formula: f(n) = n²-n+41
f(1) = 1²-1+41 = 41 a prime number
f(2) = 2²-2+41 = 43 a prime number
f(3) = 3²-3+41 = 47 a prime number
f(4) = 4²-4+41 = 53 a prime number

How many prime numbers does this formula produce?
A formula that always produces prime numbers in this way has never been found. So just how good is this formula at producing primes? You may need a list of prime numbers to help when you do your calculations. Good luck! If you have answers, discoveries, new questions etc to do with this Number Fact then...
E-mail us at madrascollege.maths@fife.gov.uk
...and we will publish them here.