The Legendre Approximation and Arithmetic Bias

MaRDI QIDQ6406983zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors Ghaith A. Hiary, Megan Paasche

Publication date 29 July 2022

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

History of mathematics in the 19th century (01A55) History of number theory (11-03)

Abstract: An interesting episode in the history of the prime number theorem concerns a formula proposed by Legendre for counting the primes below a given bound. We point out that arithmetic bias likely played an important role in arriving at that formula and in its subsequent widespread, decades-long recognition. We also show that the Legendre constant 1.08366 satisfies a certain simple and natural criterion, and conjecture that this criterion is how Legendre arrived at that erroneous constant in his formula.

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