A383595 a(n) is the smallest prime k such that (prime(n), k, u, v) are the vertices of a square in Ulam's spiral, where k < u < v are all primes; or -1 if there is no such k.

-1, -1, -1, 56527, 59, 67, 251, -1, -1, 2473, 3001, 43, 43, 41, 173, 1621, 61, 59, 13, 141937, 13, 13, 10459, 331, 33211, 643, 179, 41, 41, 1429, 11, 11, 59, 59, 13, 127, 163, 157, 169957, 47, 103, 56519, 683, 2843, 6841, 211, 199, 311, 59407, 439, 11, 137, 274831

Offset

1,4

Comments

For each prime number prime(n) in Ulam's spiral, we search for the least 3 primes k, u, v, with k < u < v, such that (prime(n), k, u, v) are the vertices of a square whose sides are parallel to the rows and columns of the spiral, where a(n) equals k.

Given a prime p, some vertices are close to p. For example, for prime 13, the vertices are (13, 67, 73, 79), while for others they are not, such as 7, where the least primes are (7, 56527, 58567, 58687). On the other hand, primes such as 2, 3, 5, 19 and 23 are not vertices of any square with prime vertices.

Conjecture: if a prime is vertex of a square of prime vertices, then it is vertex of infinitely many squares whose vertices are prime. For example, in the case of 11, some of them are: (11, 59, 127, 131), (11, 137, 233, 239), (11, 769, 977, 991).

Questions: Which prime numbers are not vertices of any square with prime vertices? What condition must they satisfy?

Are there infinite primes p and q which are vertices of two squares with prime vertices? For example, 47 and 353 are vertices of the squares (47, 353, 109, 347) and (47, 353, 173, 359).

Links

Table of n, a(n) for n=1..53.

Example

For A000040(5) = 11, it is observed that 11 together with 127, 131 and 59 are the vertices of a square whose center is 55. And this is the smallest square of prime vertices that has 11 as one of its vertices. Since 59 is the smallest number between 127, 131 and 59, then a(5) = 59.
    .  .  .  .  .
  —11-28-53-86-127—
  —12-29-54-87-128—
  —13-30-55-88-129—
  —32-31-56-89-130—
  —59-58-57-90-131—
    .  .  .  .  .

Crossrefs

Cf. A063826, A000040.

Sequence in context: A184613 A374501 A202433 * A329270 A190836 A288076

Adjacent sequences: A383592 A383593 A383594 * A383596 A383597 A383598

Keyword

sign

Author

Gonzalo Martínez, May 01 2025

Status

approved