Infinitely many solutions ? n*phi(n)=k

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the equation n*phi(n)=k!, where phi represents Euler's totient function. Participants explore whether there are infinitely many solutions for this equation, with initial solutions provided for n as 1, 2, 3, 15, 105, 420, 1260, and 13860. The conversation delves into the implications of prime number theory, particularly regarding the distribution of primes in specific ranges and their relationship to the solutions of the equation. The conclusion drawn is that while there are many solutions, the existence of infinitely many is contingent upon the properties of primes in the specified intervals.

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  • Familiarity with prime number theory, specifically Bertrand's Postulate
  • Knowledge of the concept of ordinality in prime factorization
  • Basic comprehension of factorials and their properties
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Gaussianheart
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n integer >0

n*phi(n)=k! (phi is Euler totient)

Are there infinitely many solutions ?
The first few solutions

n =
1
2
3
15
105
420
1260
13860

Thank you for any comment
 
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If you add one more number to your list, I think it will be complete.

If p\in(k/3,k/2], then ordp(k!)=2. Assume further that 2p+1 is not a prime. Then by analysing p-divisibility on the left side, you find p|n and that ordp(n\varphi(n)) is odd.

Now, by the PNT for arithmetic sequences, for all sufficiently large k, there will always be a prime p\equiv1 mod 3 in (k/3,k/2], in particular 2p+1 is not prime, so the equation can only have finitely many solutions. I don't know if someone has proved a Bertrand type result that will guarantee that your lists stop at k=13.
 
Hi, Norwegian,
I'm interested in your solution but I can't follow the first statement. What is 'ord'? It can't be multiplicative order (mod p) since, in this context, p divides k!.
 
By ordp(n), I mean the exponent of p in the prime factorization of n, and for the next argument you need to know that the prime factors of \varphi(n) are the multiple prime factors of n as well as the factors of p-1 where p|n.

What I could not find confirmation of, was that for m>some very low number, there is always a prime congruent 1 mod 3 (or 2 mod 5) between k/3 and k/2. Erdös did prove Bertrands Postulate for primes congruent 1 mod 4 and some other cases, and this seem to have been extended to other low moduli, and to more narrow intervals, although I was not able to find a good reference.
 
Ah, thanks, now I see where you go. If p is an odd prime in the range (k/3,k/2] and 2p+1 is not prime, then p cannot divide any of the (q-1) factors of phi(n), for primes q|n (because q is neither p+1 nor 2p+1, and any larger prime of the form mp+1 is larger than k and does not play a role here). Therefore ordp(phi(n)) = ordp(n)-1, and your contradiction ensues.

So, as the range (k/3,k/2] gets wider, a prime in that range such that 2p+1 is composite is increasingly easier to find (your question is: is that guaranteed? no idea), as any of p==1 mod 3, p==2 mod 5, p==3 mod 7, or a large etcetera, would make 2p+1 composite.
 
Thanx lot for your explanations.
I think that I have found a way to write any factorial or at least an infinite number of factorials (there are many solutions that"s the problem!?) as :

k!=(m*phi(m))*(n*phi(n))

I was trying to find unique solution for each k! but it seems not doable.

Example :

14!=(210*phi(210))*(6006*phi(6006))

m=210
n=6006
 
Last edited:

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