Euclid · Mathematics

The Infinitude of the Primes

Euclid’s proof that there are infinitely many prime numbers (Book IX, Proposition 20) - one of the most beautiful and durable arguments ever devised, and a window into the number theory hidden inside the <em>Elements</em>.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned Euclid’s proof that there are infinitely many primes (Book IX, Proposition 20). Reconstruct the argument and explain why it works.

Leads to Gauss.

Begin this lesson →
← All lessons on Euclid

epoché — a humanities education that remembers you.