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

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In summary, the conversation discusses the equation n*phi(n)=k! (where phi is Euler totient) and whether there are infinitely many solutions for it. The conversation also mentions that for all sufficiently large k, there will always be a prime p congruent to 1 mod 3 in the range (k/3, k/2], and this can be used to prove that the equation can only have finitely many solutions. Additionally, the conversation mentions a possible way to write any factorial as a product of two numbers and their respective phi functions, but it is not guaranteed to be a unique solution.
  • #1
Gaussianheart
31
0
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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  • #2
If you add one more number to your list, I think it will be complete.

If p[itex]\in[/itex](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[itex]\varphi[/itex](n)) is odd.

Now, by the PNT for arithmetic sequences, for all sufficiently large k, there will always be a prime p[itex]\equiv[/itex]1 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.
 
  • #3
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!.
 
  • #4
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 [itex]\varphi[/itex](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.
 
  • #5
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.
 
  • #6
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
 
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FAQ: Infinitely many solutions ? n*phi(n)=k

What is the equation n*phi(n)=k and what does it represent?

The equation n*phi(n)=k is a mathematical expression that represents the number of positive integers n that are relatively prime to a given positive integer k. phi(n) is known as the Euler's totient function, which counts the number of positive integers less than or equal to n that are relatively prime to n. Therefore, n*phi(n)=k means that there are infinitely many positive integers n that are relatively prime to k.

How can we prove that there are infinitely many solutions to the equation n*phi(n)=k?

This equation can be proven using a mathematical proof technique called contradiction. Assume that there are only finitely many solutions to the equation. Then, there must be a largest solution, say n=m. But since phi(m) is also a solution, it must be greater than m. This contradicts our assumption, proving that there are infinitely many solutions to the equation.

What are some examples of positive integers k that have infinitely many solutions to the equation n*phi(n)=k?

Some examples include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and any other positive integer that is not a prime number or a power of a prime number. For instance, when k=1, the equation becomes n*phi(n)=1 and the solutions are all positive integers greater than 1, making it an infinite set of solutions.

Is there a specific method for finding solutions to the equation n*phi(n)=k?

Yes, there is a method known as the prime factorization method. This involves finding the prime factors of k and using them to construct solutions to the equation. For example, if k=12, the prime factors are 2 and 3. Therefore, a solution to the equation would be n=2*3=6, which when multiplied by its phi(n)=2, gives the desired result of k=12.

What is the significance of the equation n*phi(n)=k in mathematics and other fields of study?

This equation has many applications in number theory, especially in the study of prime numbers and their properties. It also has practical applications in fields such as cryptography and computer science. In addition, the concept of relatively prime numbers is important in various branches of mathematics, making this equation a fundamental and widely studied topic.

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