A complete generating-function characterization of Wilson primes: seven analytically proved lemmas reducing the Wilson criterion to R_4(p) ≡ B_{p-3}/3 - 274/135 mod p

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Authors: David Niedbala Giraudin
Cited by: 4
References: 3

Abstract

We complete the analytic proof of all seven lemmas underlying the generating-function characterization of Wilson primes via G_p(z) := Σ_{n=0}^{p-1} inner_p(z)^n / n!, where inner_p(z) := Σ_{k=1}^{p-2} z^k/(k(k+1)). The previously conjectural Lemma L6, [z^p] A·B² ≡ -1/2 mod p (where A(z) = Σ z^k/k and B(z) = Σ z^k/(k+1), both truncated at k=p-2), is now proved by symmetrization, partial fractions, Wolstenholme-type identities, and Fubini-Tonelli telescoping. Combined with the previously established lemmas L1-L5 and L7, this gives the unconditional equivalence p is a Wilson prime ⟺ R_4(p) ≡ B_{p-3}/3 - 274/135 mod p where R_4(p) := Σ_{n=4}^{p-4} c_n(p) and c_n(p) := [z^p] inner_p(z)^n/n!. The equivalence has been numerically verified 23/23 for p ≤ 97. The proof of L6 is verified by three independent scripts in exact arithmetic (sympy/Fraction): step-by-step rational computation, brute-force triple summation, and convolution-based generating-function approach, with full agreement across 14 primes p ∈ {7, 11, ..., 59}. The remaining open problem is the analytic reduction of R_4(p) to known quantities (Bernoulli numbers, multiple zeta values, etc.).

Fields of Study & Subjects

Analytic Number Theory Research Advanced Mathematical Identities Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
22 May 2026
Document type
Preprint