Block #268,455

This is the prime chain origin stored in the block header. It is a composite number (not prime itself) — it equals the first prime in the chain multiplied by a primorial. The origin anchors the entire chain to this specific block.

2.995 × 10¹⁰²(103-digit number)

29955446698701912238…47023808345680030559

Discovered Prime Numbers

Lower: 2^k × origin − 1 | Upper: 2^k × origin + 1

These are the actual prime numbers discovered by this block, computed using the verified Primecoin formula. Each number has been independently confirmed to pass the Fermat primality test. Use the FactorDB links to verify any number independently.

Level 0 — Twin Prime Pair (origin ± 1)

origin − 1

2.995 × 10¹⁰²(103-digit number)

29955446698701912238…47023808345680030559

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

origin + 1

2.995 × 10¹⁰²(103-digit number)

29955446698701912238…47023808345680030561

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

Difference: origin + 1 − origin − 1 = 2 (twin primes ✓)

Level 1 — Twin Prime Pair (2^1 × origin ± 1)

2^1 × origin − 1

5.991 × 10¹⁰²(103-digit number)

59910893397403824477…94047616691360061119

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

2^1 × origin + 1

5.991 × 10¹⁰²(103-digit number)

59910893397403824477…94047616691360061121

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

Difference: 2^1 × origin + 1 − 2^1 × origin − 1 = 2 (twin primes ✓)

Level 2 — Twin Prime Pair (2^2 × origin ± 1)

2^2 × origin − 1

1.198 × 10¹⁰³(104-digit number)

11982178679480764895…88095233382720122239

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

2^2 × origin + 1

1.198 × 10¹⁰³(104-digit number)

11982178679480764895…88095233382720122241

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

Difference: 2^2 × origin + 1 − 2^2 × origin − 1 = 2 (twin primes ✓)

Level 3 — Twin Prime Pair (2^3 × origin ± 1)

2^3 × origin − 1

2.396 × 10¹⁰³(104-digit number)

23964357358961529791…76190466765440244479

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

2^3 × origin + 1

2.396 × 10¹⁰³(104-digit number)

23964357358961529791…76190466765440244481

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

Difference: 2^3 × origin + 1 − 2^3 × origin − 1 = 2 (twin primes ✓)

Level 4 — Twin Prime Pair (2^4 × origin ± 1)

2^4 × origin − 1

4.792 × 10¹⁰³(104-digit number)

47928714717923059582…52380933530880488959

Verify on FactorDB ↗Wolfram Alpha ↗

What this block proved

The miner who found this block proved the existence of 9 consecutive prime numbers forming a Bi-Twin Chain. The prime chain origin — the large number shown above — anchors the chain and is divisible by a primorial (the product of small primes), cryptographically tying these prime numbers to this specific block.

★☆☆☆☆

Rarity

CommonChain length 9

Found in most blocks. The baseline for Primecoin's proof-of-work.

How Primecoin's Proof-of-Work Constructs These Primes

Primecoin stores a value called the prime chain origin in each block. The miner found a large integer such that when divided by a primorial (the product of small primes: 2 × 3 × 5 × 7 × …), the result is the first prime in the chain. The origin is deliberately divisible by this primorial — that divisibility is part of the proof.

Prime Chain Origin = First Prime × Primorial (2·3·5·7·11·…)

Source: Primecoin prime.cpp — CheckPrimeProofOfWork()

This is why the origin has many small prime factors — those factors are the primorial divisor. The chain then extends from the first prime using the TWN formula:

TWN: twin pairs (p, p+2) where p = origin/primorial − 1 and p+2 = origin/primorial + 1

Cross-reference on Chainz Explorer