Number Theory – Proving Infinitely Many Primes of the Form 6k-1

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I have seen the past threads but I think I have another proof, though am not entirely convinced.

Suppose there are only finitely many primes $p_1, …, p_n$ of the form $6k-1$ and then consider the number

$N = (p_1.p_2. … .p_n)^2 – 1$

If all of the primes dividing N are of the form $6k+1$ then $N$ leaves remainder $1$ upon division by $6$. However, the RHS has remainder $1-1 = 0$ or $-1-1 = -2$ upon division by $6$, depending on whether $n$ is even or odd.

Therefore there must be at least one prime of the form $6k-1$ dividing $N$, and thus some $p_j$ divides N, and so divides $(p_1.p_2. … .p_n)^2 – N$ which is $1$, a contradiction.

Apologies for this question if it appears unnecessary I'm just beginning number theory and trying to get to grips with it.

Best Answer

It's potentially possible that $N$ is divisible only by $2$ and $3$.

For example, if $5$ was the only prime of this form, then $5^2-1=24$ is not divisible by a prime of the form $6k-1$. Also $(5\cdot 11)^2-1 = 3024=2^4\cdot 3^3\cdot 7$. So your argument is wrong even when there is another prime divisor not equal to $2,3$.

Instead, try: $N=6p_1p_2\cdots p_n-1$.

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