TOPICS
Search

Stoneham Number


A Stoneham number is a number alpha_(b,c) of the form

 alpha_(b,c)=sum_(k=1)^infty1/(b^(c^k)c^k),

where b,c>=2 are relatively prime positive integers. Allowing b and c not to be relatively prime gives the generalized Stoneham numbers. Stoneham (1973) proved that alpha_(b,c) is b-normal whenever c is an odd prime and b is a primitive root of c^2. Bailey and Crandall (2002) showed that alpha_(b,c) is normal whenever b and c are relatively prime.

A project using ChatGPT-6 Astra reported the more general criterion that alpha_(b,c) is b-normal if and only if some prime divisor of c does not divide b (VibeMathed 2026a). If every prime divisor of c divides b, the digit 0 instead has limiting frequency 1. In particular, alpha_(6,4) is not normal in base 6 even though neither 6 nor 4 divides the other. ChatGPT-6 Astra reportedly selected Bailey and Crandall's question, found the counterexample and criterion, and wrote the Lean formalization. As of Sep. 15, 2026, the Lean sources had passed the project's continuous integration, but independent specialist review and a definitive priority check had not been reported.

Bailey and Borwein (2012) asked whether the sum of two Stoneham numbers with the same base must be normal in that base. A project using ChatGPT-6 Astra reported that if b,c,d>=2 and b is relatively prime to both c and d, then alpha_(b,c)+alpha_(b,d) is b-normal (VibeMathed 2026b). ChatGPT-6 Astra reportedly selected the problem, proved the result, and produced its Lean formalization. As of Sep. 13, 2026, the Lean sources had passed the project's continuous integration and guarded checks, and VibeMathed had compared the statement with Bailey and Borwein's question. The Lean build had not been independently repeated, and independent specialist review of the proof had not been reported.


See also

Normal Number

Explore with Wolfram|Alpha

References

--. "A Prime-Support Criterion for Stoneham Normality." Sep. 12, 2026. https://github.com/CaptainSude/stoneham-prime-support/tree/5919ad4ebec42e22f707f97b0471d03b8995f70b.--. "Normality of Sums of Two Stoneham Constants: An Affirmative Answer to a Question of Bailey and Borwein." Sep. 9, 2026. https://github.com/CaptainSude/Stoneham-sum-normal/tree/f4d3d1f01d00c57425c684409849053e58e42261.Bailey, D. H. and Borwein, J. M. "Nonnormality of Stoneham Constants." Ramanujan J. 29, 409-422, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11139-012-9417-3.Bailey, D. H. and Crandall, R. E. "Random Generators and Normal Numbers." Exper. Math. 11, 527-546, 2002.Stoneham, R. "On Absolute (j,epsilon)-Normality in the Rational Fractions with Applications to Normal Numbers." Acta Arith. 22, 277-286, 1973.VibeMathed. "Bailey-Crandall's Mutual-Nondivisibility Question for Stoneham Numbers." Sep. 12, 2026a. https://vibemathed.com/problem/corrected-generalization-of-stoneham-numbers.VibeMathed. "Normality of a Sum of Two Stoneham Constants." Sep. 12, 2026b. https://vibemathed.com/problem/normality-of-sum-of-two-stoneham-constants.

Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha

Stoneham Number

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Stoneham Number." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/StonehamNumber.html

Subject classifications