Hi csl,

The number that the team found is 9.1 million digits long. It is a Mersenne prime known as M30402457 -- that's 2 to the 30,402,457th power minus 1.
Sorry...perhaps I am ignorant of this...in fact I'm sure I am...but I fail to see how knowing a number 9.1 million digits long will put food on my table or provide the necessary medication for my children if they become ill...which is what I meant by practical applications.

Perhaps you can explain to us less informed how this actually benefits mankind.

Eg