Scouting for Sierpiński and rummaging for Riesel (Carrie Finch-Smith)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/08/2026 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/31/2026.

Project Description

My favorite number is 509203; it’s the smallest known Riesel number. Riesel numbers are found in many other integer sequences, such as the Fibonacci numbers, the sequence of triangular numbers, the set of Ruth-Aaron pairs, and many others… My research group looks for new results in the intersection of interesting integer sequences and the set of Riesel numbers and Sierpiński numbers.

Prerequisites

Successful applicants must know how to add, subtract, and mutiply, and more importantly, they must be curious, persistant, and willing to fail over and over again!

Special Comments

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/08/2026

Estimated End Date: 7/31/2026

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 6

Research Location: On campus

Travel Required? No (If “yes”: )

Contact Information: Carrie Finch-Smith (email: finchc@wlu.edu)