On 09/02/2013 18:11, Richard Russell wrote:
On Feb 8, 7:31 pm, Nick wrote:
Because (large) prime numbers are used in all encryption systems.

If it's the 'largest known prime' it's probably a Mersenne prime
(2^n-1) in which case it's of no relevance to encryption, and would
explain its discoverer believing it to be of "no practical use". The

The practical uses that come from finding these things are the spin offs
that arise out of the technology developed to make the original search
possible. New algorithms, and collaborative computing efforts etc.


--
Cheers,

John.

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