On the distribution of maximal gaps between primes in residue classes
Abstract
Let $q>r\ge1$ be coprime positive integers. We empirically study the maximal gaps $G_{q,r}(x)$ between primes $p=qn+r\le x$, $n\in{\mathbb N}$. Extensive computations suggest that almost always $G_{q,r}(x)<\varphi(q)\log^2x$. More precisely, the vast majority of maximal gaps are near a trend curve $T$ predicted using a generalization of Wolf's conjecture: $$G_{q,r}(x) ~\sim~ T(q,x)={\varphi(q)x\over{\rm li}(x)} \Big(2\log{{\rm li}(x)\over\varphi(q)} - \log x + b\Big),$$ where $b = b(q,x) = O_q(1)$. The distribution of properly rescaled maximal gaps $G_{q,r}(x)$ is close to the Gumbel extreme value distribution. However, the question whether there exists a limiting distribution of $G_{q,r}(x)$ is open. We discuss possible generalizations of Cramer's, Shanks, and Firoozbakht's conjectures to primes in residue classes.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- October 2016
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.1610.03340
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1610.03340
- Bibcode:
- 2016arXiv161003340K
- Keywords:
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- Mathematics - Number Theory;
- 11N05
- E-Print:
- 25 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables