Roger Schlafly applied for a patent for two prime numbers. (A prime number cannot be evenly divided by any number other than itself and 1—2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, for example.) Schlafly’s numbers are a bit longer—one is 150 digits, the other is 300.

His numbers, when used together, can help perform the type of mathematical operation necessary for exchanging coded messages by computer. Should the PTO issue this patent?