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Theorem

Wolstenholme's Theorem

Number Theory

Wolstenholme's theorem, proved by Joseph Wolstenholme in 1862, states that for every prime p of at least 5, the binomial coefficient of 2p minus 1 choose p minus 1 is congruent to 1 modulo p cubed, with an equivalent formulation in terms of congruences among generalized harmonic numbers. Charles Babbage had already proved a weaker version in 1819, showing the same congruence modulo p squared for every prime p of at least 3. The theorem gives rise to the Wolstenholme primes, those satisfying the congruence modulo p to the fourth power, of which only two are currently known, 16843 and 2124679, with none found beyond 10 to the 11th power; whether any composite number satisfies the theorem's congruence at all remains an open question. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Statement Form
Identity or Equation 1
Proof Year
1862 1
Connections

Has Statement Form

Equation, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

Identity, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

Sources
1. Wolstenholme's theorem (Wikipedia)
Lead paragraph
Quote, Lead paragraph
The theorem was first proved by Joseph Wolstenholme in 1862
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