Science Forums 2

[Don Blazys]

I have been doing mathematical research for over 40 years. In that time, I made only two major discoveries, along with a dozen or so that are "interesting", but not quite "major".

Now, one of my "major discoveries" (a new and very powerfull basic algebraic term that I named a "cohesive term") is already well documented on my website (donblazys.com), and in several forums (including this one). I call it a "major discovery" because I'm absolutely certain that it is the paradigm and foundation of a new, perfectly defined and self consistent form of algebra, that is infifitely more powerfull than the existing system. It is both easy, and mindblowing to see that "cohesive terms" have properties that are quite remarkable, such as their preventing any loss of cancelled common factors and preventing the existence of trivial common factors.

My other "major discovery" occured while I was researching the one and two term prime counting functions (Pi(x) approximation formulas) that you can find on my website (donblazys.com).
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

It is a formula that generates the entire sequence of prime numbers, in order of magnitude, using only the constants e and Pi, and the single variable x.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

I have kept this formula to myself, (well, I did show it to my wife and son, but they are not mathematicians) because it might be used to compromise encryption and security codes. However I have always felt ambivalent and "torn" about that because this formula also represents the key to a much deeper understanding of prime numbers, and therefore requires further study by mathematicians other than myself.

Yesterday, I came up with a plan. Here it is:

Without actually showing the formula to anyone, I can demonstrate that it works by putting it into a brand new, unopened graphing calculator, and then handing that calculator over to some qualified mathematician who could then inspect the roots (zeroes of the graph) and verify that the formula does indeed work. That would eliminate the possibility that I'm just a delusional "crank". That "qualified mathematician" could then disseminate the fact that such a formula does indeed exist, and I would then be able to publish my prime generating formula in this and other forums after enough time has been given to all users of prime based encryption to take the necessary precautionary measures.

When I told my wife of this plan, she got angry with me for wanting to "give the formula away", rather than sell it! She told me to think of the grandkids, and how the extra money could be used to further their education.

Now, I'm really lost! Are there security companys or institutions of higher learning that would buy such a formula? Can I put it up for auction on e-bay? Can it be patented?

Then again, if I did sell it, the buyer would forever keep it a "trade secret" and the math community as a whole, would not get access to what I know is the Holy Grail of mathematics!

To all of the very kind and intelligent folks in this forum, I really need your heartfelt advice and informative input.

What would you do if you were me?

Don.