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perfect numbers

Definition/Summary
A perfect number is a number which is the sum of its proper divisors (half the sum of its total divisors). Even perfect numbers are a Mersenne prime times a power of two; odd perfect numbers are not known to exist.

Equations
Sum-of-divisors function:
[tex]\sigma(n)=\sum_{k|n}k[/tex]
[tex]\sigma(p^aq^b)=\sigma(p^a)\sigma(q^b)\;\;(p,q\text{ relatively prime})[/tex]
[tex]\sigma(p^a)=\frac{p^{a+1}-1}{p-1}[/tex]

Definition of N perfect:
[tex]2N=\sigma(N)[/tex]

Form of an even perfect number:
[tex]N=M_p(M_p+1)/2=2^{p-1}(2^p-1)[/tex]
where M_p is a Mersenne prime.

Scientists
Euclid (Εὐκλείδης) (around 300 BCE)
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhacen) (965-c.1039)
Marin Mersenne (1588-1648)
Leonhard Euler (1707-1783)

Recent forum threads on perfect numbers
 
Breakdown
Mathematics
> Number Theory
>> Sequences

See Also

Images

Extended explanation
The first two perfect numbers are:

6 = 1 + 2 + 3 = [itex]2^{2-1} (2^2-1)[/itex]

28 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14 = [itex]2^{3-1} (2^3-1)[/itex]

The next two are:

496 = [itex]2^{5-1} (2^5-1)[/itex]

8128 = [itex]2^{7-1} (2^7-1)[/itex]

Commentary

seyalbert @ 01:16 PM Apr10-11
???????

seyalbert @ 01:16 PM Apr10-11
Someone knows a formula for add perfect numbers.