A note on factors of generalized Fermat numbers (Q1585558)

A generalized Fermat number (GFN) is \(F_m(a,b)= a^{2^m}+ b^{2^m}\) \(((a,b)=1)\). It is shown how knowledge of a factor of one GFN can be used to find factors of other GFNs. There is a discussion of the phenomenon that, in factors \(k2^n+1\) of standard Fermat numbers \(F_m(2,1)\), \(n\) is found to be odd more often than even.