TED: Why I fell in love with monster prime numbers | Adam Spencer

The speaker shares personal anecdotes about his love for mathematics, focusing on prime numbers. He explains the properties of primes, historical discoveries, and the role of computers in finding large primes. The talk highlights the significance of these discoveries and the collaboration between human minds and technology, drawing parallels with the discovery of the Higgs boson.

What did the speaker's childhood experience with Ms. Russell teach him about mathematics?

• Mathematics is only for geniuses.

• Mathematics can be understood by everyone.

• Mathematics is not practical.

• Mathematics is a solitary pursuit.

Which of the following is NOT a property of prime numbers?

• They have exactly two distinct positive divisors.

• They are used in cryptography.

• There is a largest prime number.

• They are infinite in number.

What is the significance of the number 2 to the power of 31 minus 1?

• It is the largest prime number discovered by Lucas.

• It was the largest known prime number discovered by Euler.

• It is not a prime number.

• It is the smallest prime number.

What role do computers play in the search for large prime numbers?

• They enhance the speed and accuracy of the search.

• They replace human mathematicians.

• They are not used in the search.

• They make the search slower.

Who discovered the largest known prime number recently?

• Leonard Euler

• Frank Nelson Cole

• Lucas

• Dr. Curtis Cooper

How does the discovery of large prime numbers benefit modern technology?

• They are used to test computer chip performance.

• They are used to create new mathematical theories.

• They are used to predict weather patterns.

• They are used to improve internet speed.

What is the metaphorical significance of the search for large prime numbers?

• It shows the limitations of human intelligence.

• It demonstrates the futility of scientific research.

• It represents the collaboration between humans and machines.

• It highlights the unpredictability of mathematics.

What was the highlight of 2012 for the speaker?

• Publishing a new book.

• Interviewing a famous politician.

• The discovery of the Higgs boson.

• Winning a sports championship.

What does the speaker suggest about the future of scientific breakthroughs?

• They will occur through global collaboration.

• They will be driven by individual efforts.

• They will only happen in large laboratories.

• They will become less frequent.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between humans and machines?

• Machines will eventually replace humans.

• Machines are a threat to human intelligence.

• Humans should not rely on machines.

• Humans and machines can achieve great things together.