"Maybe" stupid questions

[houding]

I've wanted to ask these questions for some time now, but was hesitant to ask.

1. What is the David Hasselhoff thread at the bottom of the forum?
2. I understand the reasoning behind Mersenne Primes and Fermat factors (I work on both of these). But what is the reasoning behind other factoring projects (like k*2^n-1)?
3. Maybe someone who is English can correct me (English not my home language). When looking at the status of a particular exponent, it says "Factored" and gives the factors already found, and indicates that the remaining factor is not probable prime. Doesn't factored mean exponent completely factored?

[Mini-Geek]

Originally Posted by houding

What is the David Hasselhoff thread at the bottom of the forum?

I'm guessing it's the supermods' private forum to discuss supermod stuff.

Originally Posted by houding

I understand the reasoning behind Mersenne Primes and Fermat factors (I work on both of these). But what is the reasoning behind other factoring projects (like k*2^n-1)?

The same reasons (curiosity, advancing mathematics, etc.), just on slightly less notable numbers.

Originally Posted by houding

Maybe someone who is English can correct me (English not my home language). When looking at the status of a particular exponent, it says "Factored" and gives the factors already found, and indicates that the remaining factor is not probable prime. Doesn't factored mean exponent completely factored?

I'd say that factored usually means completely factored, but in the context, it only means at least one factor is known or (equivalently) eliminated from primality testing due to a discovered factor.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by houding

[*]What is the David Hasselhoff thread at the bottom of the forum?

For those who understand, no explanation is necessary.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

[BudgieJane]

Who is David Hasselhoff?

[xilman]

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

Who is David Hasselhoff?

I refer the Honourable Member to my previous answer.

[Mark Rose]

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

Who is David Hasselhoff?

2^{John Galt} - 1

[LaurV]

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

Who is David Hasselhoff?

Shame on you, you got a ban for this question (luckily for you, Xyzzy didn't see it! Yet...)

(we live good times, I remember there was a time when all references to Da...that person were substituted with "the Big Spider" or "Gray Elephant" or so...)