2 Apr
2012
2 Apr
'12
11:32 a.m.
> I wonder how much progress Bill Gates has made on
the mathematical
> problem he pointed out in his book, of factoring very large prime numbers.
On
Mon, 2 Apr 2012, Toby Thain wrote:
The only large numbers he is interested in are
dollars.
Improvements in factoring large primes would permit virtual control of the
current cryptography market. THAT could carry some large dollars.
There is an urban legend of a college kid coming up with an improved
factoring algorithm, and being "recruited" by the NSA. ("This job offer is
not voluntary.")