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On the number of exceptional intervals to the prime number theorem in short intervals

Ayla Gafni and Terence Tao

Vol. 5 (2026), No. 2, 221–241
Abstract

For a fixed exponent 0 < 𝜃 1, it is expected that we have the prime number theorem in short intervals xn<x+x𝜃Λ(n) x𝜃 as x . From the recent zero-density estimates of Guth and Maynard, this result is known for all x for 𝜃 > 17 30 and for almost all x for 𝜃 > 2 15. Prior to this work, Bazzanella and Perelli obtained some upper bounds on the size of the exceptional set where the prime number theorem in short intervals fails. We give an explicit relation between zero-density estimates and exceptional set bounds, allowing for the most recent zero-density estimates to be directly applied to give upper bounds on the exceptional set via a small amount of computer assistance.

Keywords
distribution of primes, zero-density estimates, von Mangoldt function
Mathematical Subject Classification
Primary: 11M26, 11N05
Milestones
Received: 4 June 2025
Revised: 16 February 2026
Accepted: 16 February 2026
Published: 12 May 2026
Authors
Ayla Gafni
Department of Mathematics
University of Mississippi
University, MS
United States
Terence Tao
Department of Mathematics
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
United States