From: nobody@REPLAY.COM (Anonymous)
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 10:39:58 +0800
To: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net
Subject: Re: Factor a 2048-bit number
Message-ID: <199711210409.FAA19480@basement.replay.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



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Theodor Schlickmann and Peter Trei have expressed some skepticism
regarding the 2048-bit number which I believe can be factored.

I confess that I do not know the exact method required, but I am
pretty sure it exists.

Hint 1: The method will not work to factor 2048-bit numbers in the
general case.

Hint 2: There is an observation which suggests the number may be
factored.  A one word hint will reveal this observation.

(I want to hold off on Hint 3 for a little while in case somebody is
already working on the problem.  If anybody wants me to withhold Hint
3, please post a message to the list and I may do so.  It seems to me
that it will be more fun to solve without Hint 3.)

Wouldn't it be neat to actually factor a 2048-bit number which was the
product of two large primes?

Monty Cantsin
Editor in Chief
Smile Magazine
http://www.neoism.org/squares/smile_index.html
http://www.neoism.org/squares/cantsin_10.htm

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