Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 546Number theory › PrimesHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Goldbach's conjecture (statement and verification)

#Goldbach conjecture#even numbers#primes

Statement

State Goldbach's conjecture and verify it for the even numbers 1010, 2020, 4040.

Hint

Every even integer ≥4\ge4 is a sum of two primes.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Conjecture. Every even integer n≥4n\ge4 can be expressed as a sum of two primes.

Verify 1010. 10=3+7=5+510=3+7=5+5. ✓

Verify 2020. 20=3+17=7+1320=3+17=7+13. ✓

Verify 4040. 40=3+37=11+29=17+2340=3+37=11+29=17+23. ✓

Conclusion. Verified for these examples; the conjecture remains open in general (verified up to 4⋅10184\cdot10^{18}).