Sum-of-divisors function: Difference between revisions

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imported>Richard Pinch
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imported>Richard Pinch
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In [[number theory]] the '''sum-of-divisors function''' of a positive integer, denoted σ(''n''), is the sum of the positive [[divisor]]s of the number ''n''.
In [[number theory]] the '''sum-of-divisors function''' of a positive integer, denoted σ(''n''), is the sum of all the positive [[divisor]]s of the number ''n''.


It is a [[multiplicative function]], that is is ''m'' and ''n'' are coprime then <math>\sigma(mn) = \sigma(m)\sigma(n)</math>.   
It is a [[multiplicative function]], that is is ''m'' and ''n'' are coprime then <math>\sigma(mn) = \sigma(m)\sigma(n)</math>.   
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The [[Average order of an arithmetic function|average order]] of σ(''n'') is <math> \frac{\pi^2}{6} n</math>.
The [[Average order of an arithmetic function|average order]] of σ(''n'') is <math> \frac{\pi^2}{6} n</math>.
A ''[[perfect number]]'' is defined as one equal to the sum of its "aliquot divisors", that is all divisors except the number itself.  Hence a number ''n'' is perfect if σ(''n'') = 2''n''.  A number is similarly defined to be ''abundant'' if σ(''n'') &gt; 2''n'' and ''deficient'' if σ(''n'') &lt; 2''n''.  A pair of numbers ''m'', ''n'' are ''amicable'' if σ(''m'') = ''m''+''n'' = σ(''n''): the smallest such pair is 220 and 284.

Revision as of 13:47, 3 December 2008

In number theory the sum-of-divisors function of a positive integer, denoted σ(n), is the sum of all the positive divisors of the number n.

It is a multiplicative function, that is is m and n are coprime then .

The value of σ on a general integer n with prime factorisation

is then

The average order of σ(n) is .

A perfect number is defined as one equal to the sum of its "aliquot divisors", that is all divisors except the number itself. Hence a number n is perfect if σ(n) = 2n. A number is similarly defined to be abundant if σ(n) > 2n and deficient if σ(n) < 2n. A pair of numbers m, n are amicable if σ(m) = m+n = σ(n): the smallest such pair is 220 and 284.