Phi and Sigma

Calculus Level 4

n = 1 ϕ ( n ) 2 n 1 = ? \sum^\infty_{n=1}\frac{\phi(n)}{2^n-1} = \ ?

Note: ϕ \phi is the Euler totient function.

This problem is not original.


The answer is 2.

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1 solution

Bogdan Simeonov
Aug 20, 2014

Let's look at the following sum (called a Lambert series): L ( q ) = n = 1 f ( n ) . q n 1 q n = n = 1 f ( n ) . 1 q n 1 L(q)=\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}f(n).\frac{q^n}{1-q^n}=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}f(n).\frac{1}{q^{-n}-1}

If we use the geometric series formula we get that L ( q ) = n = 1 f ( n ) ( q n + q 2 n + q 3 n . . . ) = m = 1 g ( m ) . q m , g ( m ) = d m f ( d ) \displaystyle L(q)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} f(n)(q^n+q^{2n}+q^{3n}...)=\sum_{m=1}^{\infty}g(m).q^m,g(m)=\sum_{d|m}f(d) .

This is true because q a q^a appears only if m|a.

If we take f ( n ) = φ ( n ) f(n)=\varphi(n) , we get that

L ( q ) = m = 1 m . q m \displaystyle L(q)=\sum_{m=1}^{\infty} m.q^m .But this sum can be obtained by taking the derivative of an infinite geometric series and then multiplying by q.So

L ( q ) = q ( 1 q ) 2 L(q)=\frac{q}{(1-q)^2} .

Plugging in q=1/2, we get the answer 2 \boxed2

it was excellent but a little tough to get the hang of it..any easier solution or approach!?!?

Ritam Baidya - 5 years, 9 months ago

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