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I know by Dirichlet's theorem on arithmetic progressions that there are infinitely many primes of any type $a+nd$, where $a$ and $d$ are positive co-prime integers.

I come across many questions like - prove that there are infinitely many primes of form $4k+1, 6k+1, 6k+5, 8k+1,$ etc. where they use either quaratic residues or take some form of a number formed by the finite (assumed) set of primes of that form and then reach a contradiction.

I want to know how to tackle any such problem requiring to prove it for a certain form, it seems very non-trivial to me to begin.

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  • $\begingroup$ There are informative answers at this MO-question. $\endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:25
  • $\begingroup$ @DietrichBurde I don't want the proof of Dirichlet's theorem, I want how should we go about proving it for a certain form like $7k+3$ for eg. $\endgroup$
    – john doe
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:28
  • $\begingroup$ You can use the "Euclidean proof" as in $4k+1$ etc. , if and only if Murty's criterion is met, see my answer. So the answer is, that you must use more analytic arguments involving $L$-series for cases like $7k+3$. Of course, all cases follow from Dirichlet's Theorem anyway. $\endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:29

1 Answer 1

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A Euclidean proof, as for $4k+1,6k+1,6k+5,8k+1$ etc. is not always possible. In fact, we have the following Theorem:

Theorem 1. (Murty) A “Euclidean proof” exists for the arithmetic progression $l \bmod k$ if and only if $l^2 \equiv 1 \bmod k$.

Proof: See here.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the added reference $\endgroup$
    – john doe
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:31
  • $\begingroup$ The introduction of this references discusses exactly what you have asked, if I understood correctly. $\endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:33
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, that was very specific to my query $\endgroup$
    – john doe
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:35
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    $\begingroup$ Very good :) :) $\endgroup$
    – Dietrich Burde
    Nov 5, 2017 at 12:37

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