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Arithmetic function
Arithmetic function
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In number theory, an arithmetic, arithmetical, or number-theoretic function[1][2] is generally any function whose domain is the set of positive integers and whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.[3][4][5] Hardy & Wright include in their definition the requirement that an arithmetical function "expresses some arithmetical property of n".[6] There is a larger class of number-theoretic functions that do not fit this definition, for example, the prime-counting functions. This article provides links to functions of both classes.

An example of an arithmetic function is the divisor function whose value at a positive integer n is equal to the number of divisors of n.

Arithmetic functions are often extremely irregular (see table), but some of them have series expansions in terms of Ramanujan's sum.

Multiplicative and additive functions

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An arithmetic function a is

Two whole numbers m and n are called coprime if their greatest common divisor is 1, that is, if there is no prime number that divides both of them.

Then an arithmetic function a is

  • additive if a(mn) = a(m) + a(n) for all coprime natural numbers m and n;
  • multiplicative if a(1) = 1 and a(mn) = a(m)a(n) for all coprime natural numbers m and n.

Notation

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In this article, and mean that the sum or product is over all prime numbers: and Similarly, and mean that the sum or product is over all prime powers with strictly positive exponent (so k = 0 is not included):

The notations and mean that the sum or product is over all positive divisors of n, including 1 and n. For example, if n = 12, then

The notations can be combined: and mean that the sum or product is over all prime divisors of n. For example, if n = 18, then and similarly and mean that the sum or product is over all prime powers dividing n. For example, if n = 24, then

Ω(n), ω(n), νp(n) – prime power decomposition

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The fundamental theorem of arithmetic states that any positive integer n can be represented uniquely as a product of powers of primes: where p1 < p2 < ... < pk are primes and the aj are positive integers. (1 is given by the empty product.)

It is often convenient to write this as an infinite product over all the primes, where all but a finite number have a zero exponent. Define the p-adic valuation νp(n) to be the exponent of the highest power of the prime p that divides n. That is, if p is one of the pi then νp(n) = ai, otherwise it is zero. Then

In terms of the above the prime omega functions ω and Ω are defined by

ω(n) = k,
Ω(n) = a1 + a2 + ... + ak.

To avoid repetition, formulas for the functions listed in this article are, whenever possible, given in terms of n and the corresponding pi, ai, ω, and Ω.

Multiplicative functions

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σk(n), τ(n), d(n) – divisor sums

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σk(n) is the sum of the kth powers of the positive divisors of n, including 1 and n, where k is a complex number.

σ1(n), the sum of the (positive) divisors of n, is usually denoted by σ(n).

Since a positive number to the zero power is one, σ0(n) is therefore the number of (positive) divisors of n; it is usually denoted by d(n) or τ(n) (for the German Teiler = divisors).

Setting k = 0 in the second product gives

φ(n) – Euler totient function

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φ(n), the Euler totient function, is the number of positive integers not greater than n that are coprime to n.

Jk(n) – Jordan totient function

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Jk(n), the Jordan totient function, is the number of k-tuples of positive integers all less than or equal to n that form a coprime (k + 1)-tuple together with n. It is a generalization of Euler's totient, φ(n) = J1(n).

μ(n) – Möbius function

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μ(n), the Möbius function, is important because of the Möbius inversion formula. See § Dirichlet convolution, below.

This implies that μ(1) = 1. (Because Ω(1) = ω(1) = 0.)

τ(n) – Ramanujan tau function

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τ(n), the Ramanujan tau function, is defined by its generating function identity:

Although it is hard to say exactly what "arithmetical property of n" it "expresses",[7] (τ(n) is (2π)−12 times the nth Fourier coefficient in the q-expansion of the modular discriminant function)[8] it is included among the arithmetical functions because it is multiplicative and it occurs in identities involving certain σk(n) and rk(n) functions (because these are also coefficients in the expansion of modular forms).

cq(n) – Ramanujan's sum

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cq(n), Ramanujan's sum, is the sum of the nth powers of the primitive qth roots of unity:

Even though it is defined as a sum of complex numbers (irrational for most values of q), it is an integer. For a fixed value of n it is multiplicative in q:

If q and r are coprime, then

ψ(n) – Dedekind psi function

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The Dedekind psi function, used in the theory of modular functions, is defined by the formula

Completely multiplicative functions

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λ(n) – Liouville function

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λ(n), the Liouville function, is defined by

χ(n) – characters

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All Dirichlet characters χ(n) are completely multiplicative. Two characters have special notations:

The principal character (mod n) is denoted by χ0(a) (or χ1(a)). It is defined as

The quadratic character (mod n) is denoted by the Jacobi symbol for odd n (it is not defined for even n):

In this formula is the Legendre symbol, defined for all integers a and all odd primes p by

Following the normal convention for the empty product,

Additive functions

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ω(n) – distinct prime divisors

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ω(n), defined above as the number of distinct primes dividing n, is additive (see Prime omega function).

Completely additive functions

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Ω(n) – prime divisors

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Ω(n), defined above as the number of prime factors of n counted with multiplicities, is completely additive (see Prime omega function).

νp(n) – p-adic valuation of an integer n

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For a fixed prime p, νp(n), defined above as the exponent of the largest power of p dividing n, is completely additive.

Logarithmic derivative

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, where is the arithmetic derivative.

Neither multiplicative nor additive

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π(x), Π(x), ϑ(x), ψ(x) – prime-counting functions

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These important functions (which are not arithmetic functions) are defined for non-negative real arguments, and are used in the various statements and proofs of the prime number theorem. They are summation functions (see the main section just below) of arithmetic functions which are neither multiplicative nor additive.

π(x), the prime-counting function, is the number of primes not exceeding x. It is the summation function of the characteristic function of the prime numbers.

A related function counts prime powers with weight 1 for primes, 1/2 for their squares, 1/3 for cubes, etc. It is the summation function of the arithmetic function which takes the value 1/k on integers which are the kth power of some prime number, and the value 0 on other integers.

ϑ(x) and ψ(x), the Chebyshev functions, are defined as sums of the natural logarithms of the primes not exceeding x.

The second Chebyshev function ψ(x) is the summation function of the von Mangoldt function just below.

Λ(n) – von Mangoldt function

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Λ(n), the von Mangoldt function, is 0 unless the argument n is a prime power pk, in which case it is the natural logarithm of the prime p:

p(n) – partition function

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p(n), the partition function, is the number of ways of representing n as a sum of positive integers, where two representations with the same summands in a different order are not counted as being different:

λ(n) – Carmichael function

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λ(n), the Carmichael function, is the smallest positive number such that   for all a coprime to n. Equivalently, it is the least common multiple of the orders of the elements of the multiplicative group of integers modulo n.

For powers of odd primes and for 2 and 4, λ(n) is equal to the Euler totient function of n; for powers of 2 greater than 4 it is equal to one half of the Euler totient function of n: and for general n it is the least common multiple of λ of each of the prime power factors of n:

h(n) – class number

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h(n), the class number function, is the order of the ideal class group of an algebraic extension of the rationals with discriminant n. The notation is ambiguous, as there are in general many extensions with the same discriminant. See quadratic field and cyclotomic field for classical examples.

rk(n) – sum of k squares

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rk(n) is the number of ways n can be represented as the sum of k squares, where representations that differ only in the order of the summands or in the signs of the square roots are counted as different.

D(n) – Arithmetic derivative

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Using the Heaviside notation for the derivative, the arithmetic derivative D(n) is a function such that

  • if n prime, and
  • (the product rule)

Summation functions

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Given an arithmetic function a(n), its summation function A(x) is defined by A can be regarded as a function of a real variable. Given a positive integer m, A is constant along open intervals m < x < m + 1, and has a jump discontinuity at each integer for which a(m) ≠ 0.

Since such functions are often represented by series and integrals, to achieve pointwise convergence it is usual to define the value at the discontinuities as the average of the values to the left and right:

Individual values of arithmetic functions may fluctuate wildly – as in most of the above examples. Summation functions "smooth out" these fluctuations. In some cases it may be possible to find asymptotic behaviour for the summation function for large x.

A classical example of this phenomenon[9] is given by the divisor summatory function, the summation function of d(n), the number of divisors of n:

An average order of an arithmetic function is some simpler or better-understood function which has the same summation function asymptotically, and hence takes the same values "on average". We say that g is an average order of f if

as x tends to infinity. The example above shows that d(n) has the average order log(n).[10]

Dirichlet convolution

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Given an arithmetic function a(n), let Fa(s), for complex s, be the function defined by the corresponding Dirichlet series (where it converges):[11] Fa(s) is called a generating function of a(n). The simplest such series, corresponding to the constant function a(n) = 1 for all n, is ζ(s) the Riemann zeta function.

The generating function of the Möbius function is the inverse of the zeta function:

Consider two arithmetic functions a and b and their respective generating functions Fa(s) and Fb(s). The product Fa(s)Fb(s) can be computed as follows:

It is a straightforward exercise to show that if c(n) is defined by then

This function c is called the Dirichlet convolution of a and b, and is denoted by .

A particularly important case is convolution with the constant function a(n) = 1 for all n, corresponding to multiplying the generating function by the zeta function:

Multiplying by the inverse of the zeta function gives the Möbius inversion formula:

If f is multiplicative, then so is g. If f is completely multiplicative, then g is multiplicative, but may or may not be completely multiplicative.

Relations among the functions

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There are a great many formulas connecting arithmetical functions with each other and with the functions of analysis, especially powers, roots, and the exponential and log functions. The page divisor sum identities contains many more generalized and related examples of identities involving arithmetic functions.

Here are a few examples:

Dirichlet convolutions

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    where λ is the Liouville function.[12]
     [13]
      Möbius inversion
     [14]
      Möbius inversion
     [15]
     [16][17]
     [18]
      Möbius inversion
     
      Möbius inversion
     
      Möbius inversion
     
    where λ is the Liouville function.
     [19]
      Möbius inversion

Sums of squares

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For all     (Lagrange's four-square theorem).

[20]

where the Kronecker symbol has the values

There is a formula for r3 in the section on class numbers below. where ν = ν2(n).    [21][22][23] where [24]

Define the function σk*(n) as[25]

That is, if n is odd, σk*(n) is the sum of the kth powers of the divisors of n, that is, σk(n), and if n is even it is the sum of the kth powers of the even divisors of n minus the sum of the kth powers of the odd divisors of n.

   [24][26]

Adopt the convention that Ramanujan's τ(x) = 0 if x is not an integer.

   [27]

Divisor sum convolutions

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Here "convolution" does not mean "Dirichlet convolution" but instead refers to the formula for the coefficients of the product of two power series:

The sequence is called the convolution or the Cauchy product of the sequences an and bn.
These formulas may be proved analytically (see Eisenstein series) or by elementary methods.[28]

   [29]
   [30]
   [30][31]
   [29][32]
    where τ(n) is Ramanujan's function.    [33][34]

Since σk(n) (for natural number k) and τ(n) are integers, the above formulas can be used to prove congruences[35] for the functions. See Ramanujan tau function for some examples.

Extend the domain of the partition function by setting p(0) = 1.

   [36]   This recurrence can be used to compute p(n).
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Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet discovered formulas that relate the class number h of quadratic number fields to the Jacobi symbol.[37]

An integer D is called a fundamental discriminant if it is the discriminant of a quadratic number field. This is equivalent to D ≠ 1 and either a) D is squarefree and D ≡ 1 (mod 4) or b) D ≡ 0 (mod 4), D/4 is squarefree, and D/4 ≡ 2 or 3 (mod 4).[38]

Extend the Jacobi symbol to accept even numbers in the "denominator" by defining the Kronecker symbol:

Then if D < −4 is a fundamental discriminant[39][40]

There is also a formula relating r3 and h. Again, let D be a fundamental discriminant, D < −4. Then[41]

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Let   be the nth harmonic number. Then

  is true for every natural number n if and only if the Riemann hypothesis is true.    [42]

The Riemann hypothesis is also equivalent to the statement that, for all n > 5040, (where γ is the Euler–Mascheroni constant). This is Robin's theorem.

   [43]
   [44]
   [45]
   [46]

Menon's identity

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In 1965 P Kesava Menon proved[47]

This has been generalized by a number of mathematicians. For example,

  • B. Sury[48]
  • N. Rao[49] where a1, a2, ..., as are integers, gcd(a1, a2, ..., as, n) = 1.
  • László Fejes Tóth[50] where m1 and m2 are odd, m = lcm(m1, m2).

In fact, if f is any arithmetical function[51][52] where stands for Dirichlet convolution.

Miscellaneous

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Let m and n be distinct, odd, and positive. Then the Jacobi symbol satisfies the law of quadratic reciprocity:

Let D(n) be the arithmetic derivative. Then the logarithmic derivative See Arithmetic derivative for details.

Let λ(n) be Liouville's function. Then

    and
   

Let λ(n) be Carmichael's function. Then

    Further,

See Multiplicative group of integers modulo n and Primitive root modulo n.  

   [53][54]
   [55]
   [56]     Note that      [57]
   [58]   Compare this with 13 + 23 + 33 + ... + n3 = (1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n)2
   [59]
   [60]
    where τ(n) is Ramanujan's function.    [61]

First 100 values of some arithmetic functions

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n factorization φ(n) ω(n) Ω(n) λ(n) μ(n) Λ(n) π(n) σ0(n) σ1(n) σ2(n) r2(n) r3(n) r4(n)
1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 4 6 8
2 2 1 1 1 −1 −1 0.69 1 2 3 5 4 12 24
3 3 2 1 1 −1 −1 1.10 2 2 4 10 0 8 32
4 22 2 1 2 1 0 0.69 2 3 7 21 4 6 24
5 5 4 1 1 −1 −1 1.61 3 2 6 26 8 24 48
6 2 · 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 3 4 12 50 0 24 96
7 7 6 1 1 −1 −1 1.95 4 2 8 50 0 0 64
8 23 4 1 3 −1 0 0.69 4 4 15 85 4 12 24
9 32 6 1 2 1 0 1.10 4 3 13 91 4 30 104
10 2 · 5 4 2 2 1 1 0 4 4 18 130 8 24 144
11 11 10 1 1 −1 −1 2.40 5 2 12 122 0 24 96
12 22 · 3 4 2 3 −1 0 0 5 6 28 210 0 8 96
13 13 12 1 1 −1 −1 2.56 6 2 14 170 8 24 112
14 2 · 7 6 2 2 1 1 0 6 4 24 250 0 48 192
15 3 · 5 8 2 2 1 1 0 6 4 24 260 0 0 192
16 24 8 1 4 1 0 0.69 6 5 31 341 4 6 24
17 17 16 1 1 −1 −1 2.83 7 2 18 290 8 48 144
18 2 · 32 6 2 3 −1 0 0 7 6 39 455 4 36 312
19 19 18 1 1 −1 −1 2.94 8 2 20 362 0 24 160
20 22 · 5 8 2 3 −1 0 0 8 6 42 546 8 24 144
21 3 · 7 12 2 2 1 1 0 8 4 32 500 0 48 256
22 2 · 11 10 2 2 1 1 0 8 4 36 610 0 24 288
23 23 22 1 1 −1 −1 3.14 9 2 24 530 0 0 192
24 23 · 3 8 2 4 1 0 0 9 8 60 850 0 24 96
25 52 20 1 2 1 0 1.61 9 3 31 651 12 30 248
26 2 · 13 12 2 2 1 1 0 9 4 42 850 8 72 336
27 33 18 1 3 −1 0 1.10 9 4 40 820 0 32 320
28 22 · 7 12 2 3 −1 0 0 9 6 56 1050 0 0 192
29 29 28 1 1 −1 −1 3.37 10 2 30 842 8 72 240
30 2 · 3 · 5 8 3 3 −1 −1 0 10 8 72 1300 0 48 576
31 31 30 1 1 −1 −1 3.43 11 2 32 962 0 0 256
32 25 16 1 5 −1 0 0.69 11 6 63 1365 4 12 24
33 3 · 11 20 2 2 1 1 0 11 4 48 1220 0 48 384
34 2 · 17 16 2 2 1 1 0 11 4 54 1450 8 48 432
35 5 · 7 24 2 2 1 1 0 11 4 48 1300 0 48 384
36 22 · 32 12 2 4 1 0 0 11 9 91 1911 4 30 312
37 37 36 1 1 −1 −1 3.61 12 2 38 1370 8 24 304
38 2 · 19 18 2 2 1 1 0 12 4 60 1810 0 72 480
39 3 · 13 24 2 2 1 1 0 12 4 56 1700 0 0 448
40 23 · 5 16 2 4 1 0 0 12 8 90 2210 8 24 144
41 41 40 1 1 −1 −1 3.71 13 2 42 1682 8 96 336
42 2 · 3 · 7 12 3 3 −1 −1 0 13 8 96 2500 0 48 768
43 43 42 1 1 −1 −1 3.76 14 2 44 1850 0 24 352
44 22 · 11 20 2 3 −1 0 0 14 6 84 2562 0 24 288
45 32 · 5 24 2 3 −1 0 0 14 6 78 2366 8 72 624
46 2 · 23 22 2 2 1 1 0 14 4 72 2650 0 48 576
47 47 46 1 1 −1 −1 3.85 15 2 48 2210 0 0 384
48 24 · 3 16 2 5 −1 0 0 15 10 124 3410 0 8 96
49 72 42 1 2 1 0 1.95 15 3 57 2451 4 54 456
50 2 · 52 20 2 3 −1 0 0 15 6 93 3255 12 84 744
51 3 · 17 32 2 2 1 1 0 15 4 72 2900 0 48 576
52 22 · 13 24 2 3 −1 0 0 15 6 98 3570 8 24 336
53 53 52 1 1 −1 −1 3.97 16 2 54 2810 8 72 432
54 2 · 33 18 2 4 1 0 0 16 8 120 4100 0 96 960
55 5 · 11 40 2 2 1 1 0 16 4 72 3172 0 0 576
56 23 · 7 24 2 4 1 0 0 16 8 120 4250 0 48 192
57 3 · 19 36 2 2 1 1 0 16 4 80 3620 0 48 640
58 2 · 29 28 2 2 1 1 0 16 4 90 4210 8 24 720
59 59 58 1 1 −1 −1 4.08 17 2 60 3482 0 72 480
60 22 · 3 · 5 16 3 4 1 0 0 17 12 168 5460 0 0 576
61 61 60 1 1 −1 −1 4.11 18 2 62 3722 8 72 496
62 2 · 31 30 2 2 1 1 0 18 4 96 4810 0 96 768
63 32 · 7 36 2 3 −1 0 0 18 6 104 4550 0 0 832
64 26 32 1 6 1 0 0.69 18 7 127 5461 4 6 24
65 5 · 13 48 2 2 1 1 0 18 4 84 4420 16 96 672
66 2 · 3 · 11 20 3 3 −1 −1 0 18 8 144 6100 0 96 1152
67 67 66 1 1 −1 −1 4.20 19 2 68 4490 0 24 544
68 22 · 17 32 2 3 −1 0 0 19 6 126 6090 8 48 432
69 3 · 23 44 2 2 1 1 0 19 4 96 5300 0 96 768
70 2 · 5 · 7 24 3 3 −1 −1 0 19 8 144 6500 0 48 1152
71 71 70 1 1 −1 −1 4.26 20 2 72 5042 0 0 576
72 23 · 32 24 2 5 −1 0 0 20 12 195 7735 4 36 312
73 73 72 1 1 −1 −1 4.29 21 2 74 5330 8 48 592
74 2 · 37 36 2 2 1 1 0 21 4 114 6850 8 120 912
75 3 · 52 40 2 3 −1 0 0 21 6 124 6510 0 56 992
76 22 · 19 36 2 3 −1 0 0 21 6 140 7602 0 24 480
77 7 · 11 60 2 2 1 1 0 21 4 96 6100 0 96 768
78 2 · 3 · 13 24 3 3 −1 −1 0 21 8 168 8500 0 48 1344
79 79 78 1 1 −1 −1 4.37 22 2 80 6242 0 0 640
80 24 · 5 32 2 5 −1 0 0 22 10 186 8866 8 24 144
81 34 54 1 4 1 0 1.10 22 5 121 7381 4 102 968
82 2 · 41 40 2 2 1 1 0 22 4 126 8410 8 48 1008
83 83 82 1 1 −1 −1 4.42 23 2 84 6890 0 72 672
84 22 · 3 · 7 24 3 4 1 0 0 23 12 224 10500 0 48 768
85 5 · 17 64 2 2 1 1 0 23 4 108 7540 16 48 864
86 2 · 43 42 2 2 1 1 0 23 4 132 9250 0 120 1056
87 3 · 29 56 2 2 1 1 0 23 4 120 8420 0 0 960
88 23 · 11 40 2 4 1 0 0 23 8 180 10370 0 24 288
89 89 88 1 1 −1 −1 4.49 24 2 90 7922 8 144 720
90 2 · 32 · 5 24 3 4 1 0 0 24 12 234 11830 8 120 1872
91 7 · 13 72 2 2 1 1 0 24 4 112 8500 0 48 896
92 22 · 23 44 2 3 −1 0 0 24 6 168 11130 0 0 576
93 3 · 31 60 2 2 1 1 0 24 4 128 9620 0 48 1024
94 2 · 47 46 2 2 1 1 0 24 4 144 11050 0 96 1152
95 5 · 19 72 2 2 1 1 0 24 4 120 9412 0 0 960
96 25 · 3 32 2 6 1 0 0 24 12 252 13650 0 24 96
97 97 96 1 1 −1 −1 4.57 25 2 98 9410 8 48 784
98 2 · 72 42 2 3 −1 0 0 25 6 171 12255 4 108 1368
99 32 · 11 60 2 3 −1 0 0 25 6 156 11102 0 72 1248
100 22 · 52 40 2 4 1 0 0 25 9 217 13671 12 30 744
n factorization φ(n) ω(n) Ω(n) 𝜆(n) 𝜇(n) Λ(n) π(n) σ0(n) σ1(n) σ2(n) r2(n) r3(n) r4(n)

Notes

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
An arithmetic function is a function ff defined on the positive integers N\mathbb{N} that takes values in the complex numbers C\mathbb{C}. These functions are fundamental objects in , encoding arithmetic properties of integers such as divisibility and prime factorization. Arithmetic functions play a central role in analytic and multiplicative , facilitating the study of prime distribution, divisor sums, and related phenomena through tools like and . Notable examples include the d(n)d(n), which counts the number of positive divisors of nn; the sum-of-divisors function σ(n)\sigma(n), which sums the positive divisors of nn; and ϕ(n)\phi(n), which counts the integers up to nn that are relatively prime to nn. Another key example is the μ(n)\mu(n), defined as (1)k(-1)^k if nn is a product of kk distinct primes (square-free) and 0 otherwise, which is essential for inversion formulas in . A significant class of arithmetic functions consists of the multiplicative ones, where f(mn)=f(m)f(n)f(mn) = f(m)f(n) whenever mm and nn are coprime; completely multiplicative functions satisfy this for all m,nm, n. Multiplicative functions are preserved under the (fg)(n)=dnf(d)g(n/d)(f * g)(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} f(d)g(n/d), which forms an on the set of arithmetic functions and underpins theorems like Möbius inversion: if g(n)=dnf(d)g(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} f(d), then f(n)=dnμ(d)g(n/d)f(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} \mu(d)g(n/d). For instance, dnϕ(d)=n\sum_{d \mid n} \phi(d) = n follows from this framework, highlighting connections to cyclic groups and .

Fundamentals

Definition

An arithmetic function is a function f:NCf: \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C}, where N\mathbb{N} denotes the set of positive integers and C\mathbb{C} the complex numbers, though such functions often take real or non-negative real values in applications within number theory. The term "arithmetic function" was introduced in the early by number theorists, notably and E. M. Wright, to provide a unified framework for studying various functions arising in , such as those related to divisors and primes. Basic examples include the id(n)=n\mathrm{id}(n) = n, which maps each positive integer to itself, and the constant function 1(n)=11(n) = 1 for all nNn \in \mathbb{N}. Unlike sequences, which are typically ordered lists indexed by integers, arithmetic functions are defined pointwise on the positive integers, emphasizing their role as mappings that encode arithmetic properties of each input individually rather than relational or sequential behavior.

Notation

Arithmetic functions are typically denoted by lowercase letters such as f(n)f(n), where nn is a positive integer and f(n)f(n) represents the value of the function at nn. This notation facilitates the study of properties like multiplicativity and growth rates in number theory. Specific arithmetic functions employ standardized symbols for clarity. For instance, the sum of the kk-th powers of the positive divisors of nn is denoted by σk(n)\sigma_k(n), where kk is a real or complex number, defined as σk(n)=dndk\sigma_k(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} d^k. , which counts the number of positive integers up to nn that are relatively prime to nn, is denoted by ϕ(n)\phi(n). Asymptotic behaviors of arithmetic functions are described using notations that capture limiting ratios and growth bounds. The \sim indicates asymptotic equivalence: f(n)g(n)f(n) \sim g(n) as nn \to \infty if limnf(n)/g(n)=1\lim_{n \to \infty} f(n)/g(n) = 1. For bounding growth, is used: f(n)=O(g(n))f(n) = O(g(n)) if there exists a constant M>0M > 0 such that f(n)Mg(n)|f(n)| \leq M |g(n)| for sufficiently large nn. The little o notation provides a stricter bound: f(n)=o(g(n))f(n) = o(g(n)) if f(n)/g(n)0f(n)/g(n) \to 0 as nn \to \infty. A common application is the bound d(n)=O(nϵ)d(n) = O(n^\epsilon) for any ϵ>0\epsilon > 0, where d(n)d(n) is the number of divisors of nn, indicating subpolynomial growth. Generalizations of Euler's totient function use multi-index notation, such as the Jordan totient Jk(n)J_k(n), which counts the number of kk-tuples of integers from 1 to nn relatively prime to nn in each component and is given by Jk(n)=nkpn(1pk)J_k(n) = n^k \prod_{p \mid n} (1 - p^{-k}) for positive integer kk. This notation extends to higher dimensions while preserving multiplicative properties.

Prime Power Decomposition

The asserts that every integer greater than 1 can be expressed uniquely as a product of one or more primes, disregarding order. Specifically, for any integer n>1n > 1, there exist distinct prime numbers p1<p2<<pkp_1 < p_2 < \cdots < p_k and positive integers a1,a2,,aka_1, a_2, \dots, a_k such that n=p1a1p2a2pkakn = p_1^{a_1} p_2^{a_2} \cdots p_k^{a_k}./06:_New_Page/6.01:_New_Page) This unique prime power decomposition forms the cornerstone of analytic number theory, enabling the systematic study of arithmetic functions through their behavior on prime powers. This factorization underpins several key arithmetic functions that quantify the prime structure of nn. The function ω(n)\omega(n) counts the number of distinct prime factors of nn, so if n=i=1kpiain = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{a_i}, then ω(n)=k\omega(n) = k. In contrast, the big omega function Ω(n)\Omega(n) tallies the total number of prime factors counting multiplicity, given by Ω(n)=i=1kai\Omega(n) = \sum_{i=1}^k a_i. For a fixed prime pp, the pp-adic valuation νp(n)\nu_p(n) is the exponent of pp in this decomposition, so νp(n)=ai\nu_p(n) = a_i if p=pip = p_i and νp(n)=0\nu_p(n) = 0 otherwise. These functions capture essential aspects of the prime factorization: ω(n)\omega(n) measures diversity among primes, Ω(n)\Omega(n) accounts for overall complexity including repetitions, and νp(n)\nu_p(n) isolates the contribution of a single prime. For example, for n=12=2231n = 12 = 2^2 \cdot 3^1, we have ω(12)=2\omega(12) = 2, Ω(12)=3\Omega(12) = 3, and ν2(12)=2\nu_2(12) = 2 while ν3(12)=1\nu_3(12) = 1 and ν5(12)=0\nu_5(12) = 0. In number theory, the prime power decomposition serves as the foundation for Dirichlet series and the multiplicativity of arithmetic functions. Dirichlet series, such as n=1f(n)ns\sum_{n=1}^\infty f(n) n^{-s} for a multiplicative function ff, often factor into Euler products over primes p(j=0f(pj)pjs)\prod_p \left( \sum_{j=0}^\infty f(p^j) p^{-js} \right), leveraging the unique factorization to separate contributions from each prime power. This structure simplifies analysis, as evaluating ff on general nn reduces to its values on prime powers via the decomposition.

Classifications

Multiplicative Functions

In number theory, an arithmetic function ff is said to be multiplicative if f(1)=1f(1) = 1 and f(mn)=f(m)f(n)f(mn) = f(m)f(n) whenever mm and nn are coprime positive integers. This condition distinguishes multiplicative functions from the stricter class of completely multiplicative functions, which satisfy the equality for all positive integers mm and nn, regardless of coprimality. A fundamental property of multiplicative functions is that they are completely determined by their values at prime powers pkp^k, where pp is prime and k1k \geq 1. For any positive integer nn with prime factorization n=p1k1p2k2prkrn = p_1^{k_1} p_2^{k_2} \cdots p_r^{k_r}, it follows that f(n)=f(p1k1)f(p2k2)f(prkr)f(n) = f(p_1^{k_1}) f(p_2^{k_2}) \cdots f(p_r^{k_r}). This arises directly from the unique prime factorization of integers and the multiplicativity condition. Prominent examples of multiplicative functions include the divisor sum function σk(n)=dndk\sigma_k(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} d^k, which sums the kk-th powers of the positive divisors of nn; the divisor function τ(n)\tau(n) or d(n)=dn1d(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} 1, which counts the number of positive divisors of nn; the Euler totient function φ(n)=npn(11p)\varphi(n) = n \prod_{p \mid n} \left(1 - \frac{1}{p}\right), which counts the number of integers up to nn coprime to nn; and the Jordan totient function Jk(n)=nkpn(1pk)J_k(n) = n^k \prod_{p \mid n} \left(1 - p^{-k}\right), a generalization of φ(n)\varphi(n) that appears in lattice point counting problems. The Dirichlet series associated with a multiplicative function ff, given by n=1f(n)ns\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{f(n)}{n^s}, admits an Euler product representation p(k=0f(pk)pks)\prod_p \left( \sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{f(p^k)}{p^{ks}} \right) for Re(s)\operatorname{Re}(s) sufficiently large, where the product runs over all primes pp. This factorization leverages the multiplicativity to decompose the series into local factors at each prime. Multiplicative functions play a central role in applications such as the inclusion-exclusion principle for counting divisors and the Möbius inversion formula, which inverts convolutions involving the constant function 1 to recover original functions from their summatory versions. For instance, Möbius inversion states that if g(n)=dnf(d)g(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} f(d), then f(n)=dnμ(d)g(n/d)f(n) = \sum_{d \mid n} \mu(d) g(n/d), where μ\mu is the , enabling the recovery of multiplicative structures in divisor problems.

Completely Multiplicative Functions

A completely multiplicative function is an arithmetic function f:NCf: \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C} satisfying f(mn)=f(m)f(n)f(mn) = f(m)f(n) for all positive integers mm and nn. This property is stricter than mere multiplicativity, as it holds without requiring gcd(m,n)=1\gcd(m,n)=1. Consequently, the values on prime powers are determined by powers of the value at primes: f(pk)=f(p)kf(p^k) = f(p)^k for any prime pp and positive integer kk./04%3A_Number_Theoretic_Functions/4.01%3A_Multiplicative_Functions) Prominent examples include the Liouville function λ(n)=(1)Ω(n)\lambda(n) = (-1)^{\Omega(n)}, where Ω(n)\Omega(n) counts the total number of prime factors of nn with multiplicity; this is completely multiplicative because Ω(mn)=Ω(m)+Ω(n)\Omega(mn) = \Omega(m) + \Omega(n) for all m,nm,n. Another key class consists of Dirichlet characters χ\chi modulo qq, which are completely multiplicative homomorphisms from the multiplicative group of integers modulo qq extended to all integers (vanishing when not coprime to qq), satisfying χ(mn)=χ(m)χ(n)\chi(mn) = \chi(m)\chi(n) universally. The Ramanujan sum cq(n)c_q(n), defined for fixed modulus qq as cq(n)=1kqgcd(k,q)=1exp(2πink/q)c_q(n) = \sum_{\substack{1 \leq k \leq q \\ \gcd(k,q)=1}} \exp(2\pi i n k / q), can be expressed using all Dirichlet characters χ\chi modulo qq as cq(n)=χ(modq)χ(n)τ(χ)c_q(n) = \sum_{\chi \pmod{q}} \overline{\chi}(n) \tau(\chi), where τ(χ)=k=1qχ(k)exp(2πik/q)\tau(\chi) = \sum_{k=1}^q \chi(k) \exp(2\pi i k / q) is the Gauss sum; this leverages the complete multiplicativity of these characters to exhibit multiplicative behavior in nn. These functions admit simpler Euler product representations for their associated Dirichlet series due to the power structure at primes. For a completely multiplicative ff, the series n=1f(n)ns\sum_{n=1}^\infty f(n) n^{-s} factors as p(1f(p)ps)1\prod_p (1 - f(p) p^{-s})^{-1} for (s)>1\Re(s) > 1 under suitable convergence conditions. Dirichlet characters, in particular, underpin Dirichlet LL-functions L(s,χ)=n=1χ(n)ns=p(1χ(p)ps)1L(s, \chi) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \chi(n) n^{-s} = \prod_p (1 - \chi(p) p^{-s})^{-1}, which play a central role in , such as proving Dirichlet's theorem on primes in arithmetic progressions. In contrast, the Möbius function μ\mu is multiplicative but not completely multiplicative, as μ(4)=0μ(2)2=1\mu(4) = 0 \neq \mu(2)^2 = 1.

Additive Functions

In , an additive arithmetic function ff is defined on the positive integers such that f(1)=0f(1) = 0 and f(mn)=f(m)+f(n)f(mn) = f(m) + f(n) whenever gcd(m,n)=1\gcd(m, n) = 1. This property distinguishes additive functions from multiplicative ones, as it preserves rather than multiplication under coprimality. A key property of additive functions is that their values are fully determined by their behavior on prime powers. Specifically, if n=i=1rpikin = \prod_{i=1}^r p_i^{k_i} is the prime of nn, then f(n)=i=1rf(piki)f(n) = \sum_{i=1}^r f(p_i^{k_i}), where the sum is over the distinct prime powers dividing nn. This decomposition allows additive functions to be constructed by specifying arbitrary values f(pk)f(p^k) for each prime pp and exponent k1k \geq 1, reflecting the additive structure across coprime factors. Such functions often relate to the prime factorization of integers, where the natural logarithm logn=pknlog(pk)\log n = \sum_{p^k \| n} \log(p^k) exemplifies an additive form, approximately capturing the cumulative contribution of prime factors pnlogp\sum_{p \mid n} \log p for square-free nn. A prominent example is the function ω(n)\omega(n), which counts the number of distinct prime factors of nn. For a prime power pkp^k, ω(pk)=1\omega(p^k) = 1 if k1k \geq 1, so ω(n)=pn1\omega(n) = \sum_{p \mid n} 1 over the distinct primes dividing nn; for instance, ω(12)=ω(223)=2\omega(12) = \omega(2^2 \cdot 3) = 2. This makes ω(n)\omega(n) strictly additive, as the count adds over coprime components. Additive functions are frequently analyzed for their asymptotic behavior, particularly their average orders over integers up to xx. For ω(n)\omega(n), the sum nxω(n)xloglogx\sum_{n \leq x} \omega(n) \sim x \log \log x as xx \to \infty, indicating that the typical value of ω(n)\omega(n) grows like loglogn\log \log n. This logarithmic growth underscores the role of additive functions in probabilistic , where distributions like the describe fluctuations around the mean.

Completely Additive Functions

A completely additive arithmetic function ff is an arithmetic function defined on the positive integers such that f(mn)=f(m)+f(n)f(mn) = f(m) + f(n) for all positive integers mm and nn. This property implies that f(1)=0f(1) = 0 and, for any prime pp and positive integer kk, f(pk)=kf(p)f(p^k) = k f(p), allowing the function to be fully determined by its values on primes. Consequently, for the prime factorization n=ppkpn = \prod_p p^{k_p}, f(n)=pkpf(p)f(n) = \sum_p k_p f(p). Prominent examples include the total prime factor counting function Ω(n)\Omega(n), which counts the prime factors of nn with multiplicity, so Ω(n)=pknk\Omega(n) = \sum_{p^k \| n} k. This satisfies Ω(mn)=Ω(m)+Ω(n)\Omega(mn) = \Omega(m) + \Omega(n) for all m,nm, n, making it completely additive. Another example is the pp-adic valuation νp(n)\nu_p(n), which gives the highest exponent kk such that pkp^k divides nn; it is completely additive in the sense that νp(mn)=νp(m)+νp(n)\nu_p(mn) = \nu_p(m) + \nu_p(n) for fixed prime pp and all positive integers m,nm, n. The natural logarithm function logn\log n also exemplifies this class, as log(mn)=logm+logn\log(mn) = \log m + \log n holds universally, and in terms of prime factors, logn=pknklogp\log n = \sum_{p^k \| n} k \log p. These functions find applications in , particularly in proofs of the , where Ω(n)\Omega(n) helps analyze the distribution of prime factors and establish asymptotic behaviors for sums involving prime counts. In valuation theory, the pp-adic valuations underpin the of pp-adic numbers and metrics, enabling the study of congruences and local properties in number fields. Additionally, the completely additive nature of logn\log n connects to the Λ\Lambda through , as logn=dnΛ(d)\log n = \sum_{d \mid n} \Lambda(d).

Other Notable Functions

Prime-Counting Functions

Prime-counting functions are arithmetic functions that quantify the distribution of prime numbers up to a given xx, playing a central role in for studying prime density and related asymptotic behaviors. These functions often involve sums or products over primes and their powers, providing cumulative measures essential for theorems on prime gaps and densities. The , denoted π(x)\pi(x), counts the number of prime numbers less than or equal to xx. For example, π(10)=4\pi(10) = 4 since there are four primes (2, 3, 5, 7) up to 10. The function, denoted Π(x)\Pi(x), is the product of all primes less than or equal to xx, analogous to the but restricted to primes; for instance, Π(10)=2×3×5×7=210\Pi(10) = 2 \times 3 \times 5 \times 7 = 210. The first , ϑ(x)\vartheta(x), is defined as the sum of the natural logarithms of all primes up to xx: ϑ(x)=pxlogp,\vartheta(x) = \sum_{p \leq x} \log p, where the sum is over primes pp. This weighted sum captures the logarithmic contribution of primes to the growth of arithmetic structures. The second Chebyshev function, ψ(x)\psi(x), extends this by summing over prime powers: ψ(x)=pkxlogp,\psi(x) = \sum_{p^k \leq x} \log p, summing logp\log p for each prime power pkxp^k \leq x, with k1k \geq 1. This function is particularly useful in proofs involving the due to its relation to the . A key asymptotic result for these functions arises from the , which states that π(x)xlogx\pi(x) \sim \frac{x}{\log x} as xx \to \infty, meaning the ratio π(x)logxx\frac{\pi(x) \log x}{x} approaches 1; this implies primes are distributed with density approximately 1logx\frac{1}{\log x}. Equivalent forms hold for the Chebyshev functions, such as ϑ(x)x\vartheta(x) \sim x and ψ(x)x\psi(x) \sim x. The , Λ(n)\Lambda(n), is an arithmetic function defined as Λ(n)=logp\Lambda(n) = \log p if n=pkn = p^k for some prime pp and integer k1k \geq 1, and Λ(n)=0\Lambda(n) = 0 otherwise. It isolates prime power contributions in sums, and notably, ψ(x)=nxΛ(n)\psi(x) = \sum_{n \leq x} \Lambda(n), linking the second directly to this indicator-like behavior. The partition function p(n)p(n) counts the number of ways to express the positive nn as a sum of positive integers, disregarding order. For example, p(4)=5p(4) = 5 since 4 can be partitioned as 44, 3+13+1, 2+22+2, 2+1+12+1+1, and 1+1+1+11+1+1+1. This function arises in combinatorial number theory and has the n=0p(n)xn=k=111xk,\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} p(n) x^n = \prod_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{1 - x^k}, where p(0)=1p(0) = 1 by convention. The asymptotic growth of p(n)p(n) is given by Hardy and Ramanujan's formula p(n)14n3exp(π2n3)p(n) \sim \frac{1}{4n\sqrt{3}} \exp\left( \pi \sqrt{\frac{2n}{3}} \right)
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