Is f = n^2 a completely multiplicative function?

  • Thread starter math_grl
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In summary, F(4) - F(2)F(2) is not 0 as it should be. An explicit function, f, such that F is not completely multiplicative is f=n^2. The key issue is that when the two arguments have a common factor, the result is not completely multiplicative.
  • #1
math_grl
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If [tex]f[/tex] is completely multiplicative, then [tex]\sum_{d \mid n} f(d)[/tex] is completely multiplicative is not true. There must be an easy counterexample for this yet I cannot come up with one.
 
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  • #2
call the sum F
consider
F(2)F(2)-F(4)
 
  • #3
So you are saying that F(4) - F(2)F(2) is not 0 as it should be?
I was hoping for more an explicit function, f, such that F is not completely multiplicative.
 
  • #4
What lurflurf said should work with any completely multiplicative f... I believe the key issue is that the two arguments, 2 and 2, have a factor in common.

For example, try what happens with two different primes, say 5 and 7:
F(5)F(7) = (f(1) + f(5)) . (f(1) + f(7))
and
F(35) = f(1) + f(5) + f(7) + f(35)
When you distribute the parenthesis in the first equation, and apply f(a) . f(b) = f(ab), you should get the same RHS as the second equation.

Now try with the values lurflurf proposed, and see what happens!
 
  • #5
math_grl said:
I was hoping for more an explicit function, f, such that F is not completely multiplicative.

let f=n^2
 

1. What does "completely multiplicative" mean?

"Completely multiplicative" refers to a mathematical property where a function or operation preserves multiplication when applied to two or more numbers. In other words, if a function is completely multiplicative, the result of multiplying two numbers and then applying the function to the product will be the same as applying the function to each individual number and then multiplying the results.

2. What is an example of a completely multiplicative function?

A common example of a completely multiplicative function is the Euler totient function, also known as the phi function. This function calculates the number of positive integers less than or equal to a given number that are relatively prime to that number. It is completely multiplicative because the totient of a product of two numbers is equal to the product of the totients of each individual number.

3. How does the concept of "completely multiplicative" relate to prime numbers?

Prime numbers are completely multiplicative because they only have two factors: 1 and the number itself. This means that when a prime number is multiplied by any other number, the result will always have only two factors, making it another prime number. For example, 7 is a prime number and 7*2=14, which is also a prime number. This property is important in number theory and is used in various mathematical proofs.

4. Is every function completely multiplicative?

No, not every function is completely multiplicative. A function that is not completely multiplicative may still preserve multiplication for some numbers, but it will not hold true for all numbers. For example, the function f(x) = x+1 is not completely multiplicative because f(2*3) = 7, but f(2)*f(3) = 6.

5. How is "completely multiplicative" different from "multiplicative"?

While both terms involve the concept of multiplication, "completely multiplicative" is a stronger property than just being "multiplicative." A function is considered multiplicative if it preserves multiplication for any two numbers, but it may not hold true for more than two numbers. In contrast, a completely multiplicative function preserves multiplication for any number of numbers, making it a more powerful property.

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