MHB How can you prove the number-theoretic equation $\sum_{d|n} \phi(d) = n$?

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The equation $\sum_{d|n} \phi(d) = n$ can be proven by understanding the function $\phi(d)$, which counts the integers up to $d$ that are coprime to $d$. The discussion highlights two correct solutions provided by users Olinguito and castor28, showcasing different approaches to the proof. The proof involves analyzing the contributions of each divisor $d$ of $n$ and how they relate to the integers counted by $\phi(d)$. This equation is significant in number theory as it connects the properties of divisors with the structure of integers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clear and rigorous mathematical reasoning in proving such identities.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Give a proof of the number-theoretic equation $$\sum_{d|n} \phi(d) = n$$ where $\phi(d)$ is the number of positive integers $\le d$ and relatively prime to $d$.-----

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Congratulations to Olinguito and castor28 for their correct solutions.

1. Olinguito's solution.

Let $N=\{1,\ldots,n\}$. For each $d\in N$ such that $d\mid n$, consider the set $N_d=\{r\in N:\gcd(r,n)=d\}$. Now if $s\in N$ and $sd\in N_d$, then $\gcd(sd,n)=d$ and so $\gcd\left(s,\frac nd\right)=1$. Conversely, if $s,sd\in N$ and $\gcd\left(s,\frac nd\right)=1$, then $\gcd(sd,n)=d$ and so $sd\in N_d$. Hence there is a bijection between $N_d$ and the set of all $s\in N$ such that $s\le \frac nd$ and $\gcd\left(s,\frac nd\right)=1$. It follows that $\left|N_d\right|=\phi\left(\frac nd\right)$.

Now if $r\in N_{d_1}$ and $r\in N_{d_2}$, then $d_1=\gcd(r,n)=d_2$. Hence the $N_d$ are pairwise disjoint. Moreover, if $r\in N$ then $r\in N_{\gcd(r,n)}$. Hence $\displaystyle\bigcup_{d\mid n}N_d=N$. It follows that
$$n=\sum_{d\mid n}\left|N_d\right|=\sum_{d\mid n}\phi\left(\frac nd\right)=\sum_{d\mid n}\phi(d)$$(since as $d$ ranges over all the divisors of $n$, so does $\frac nd$).


2. castor28's solution.

In a cyclic group of order $n$, each element generates a cyclic subgroup of order $d$ for some $d\mid n$.

The number of generators of that subgroup (the number of elements of order $d$) is $\phi(d)$. As these elements (for all $d\mid n$) account for all the $n$ elements of the group, we have :
$$
\sum_{d|n} \phi(d) = n
$$