Formula for primes

formula whose values are exactly the prime numbers

Willan's Formula is a formula that can find the nth prime number.

Proof change

Let's first start with the  .

Wilson's theorem says if   is divisible by  , than   is either a prime number or  , meaning when   is prime,   is an integer.

It would be much easier if the formula gives a number instead of checking if the number is an integer, and we can do this with the   part.


The reason the formula has   multiplied by the   part is because when   is an integer,   will give   or  .

When squaring the result then   will equal   when   is an integer.

By flooring this, the only results are   when   is an integer and   when it isn't, leaving .


The   will add  s for the primes   -   and and will sum up to the  .

The   in short will give   if   and   when  .


Take the   of both sides where   is the nth prime number:

  when        

  when        


  gives the number  , and the   is because when     reaches    , the function doesn't add 1. The formula adds up to   is because Bertrand's postulate says   is bigger than the nth prime number.


And finally,   is added because of the  .[1]

References change

  1. An Exact Formula for the Primes: Willans' Formula, retrieved 2022-11-01