Proving Perfect Number Proof: 2p-1(2p-1)

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srfriggen
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Homework Statement



Prove: If 2p-1 is prime, then 2p-1(2p-1) is a perfect number.

Homework Equations



I am simply having trouble understanding one part of the end of the proof, namely:

Why does [itex]\sigma[/itex](2p-1)=2p-1 ?


The proof I'm working off of (trying to understand is on page 4 of this link: http://www.math.dartmouth.edu/~jvoight/notes/perfelem.pdf


The Attempt at a Solution


 
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srfriggen said:

Homework Statement



Prove: If 2p-1 is prime, then 2p-1(2p-1) is a perfect number.

Homework Equations



I am simply having trouble understanding one part of the end of the proof, namely:

Why does [itex]\sigma[/itex](2p-1)=2p-1 ?


The proof I'm working off of (trying to understand is on page 4 of this link: http://www.math.dartmouth.edu/~jvoight/notes/perfelem.pdf


The Attempt at a Solution


It's pretty easy. The divisors of 2^(p-1) are 1,2,2^2,2^3,...2^(p-1). The divisors form a geometric series. What's its sum?
 
Dick said:
Yeah, and actually this is already mentioned in the paper in Theorem 4.

oh man I can't believe I missed that :rolleyes: