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Dirichlet convolution preserves multiplicativity, and multiplicative inverses stay multiplicative

Statement

If f and g are multiplicative arithmetic functions, then f∗g is multiplicative. If f is multiplicative and h is its Dirichlet inverse, then h is multiplicative as well.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: Multiplicative arithmetic functions f,g, and the Dirichlet inverse h of f.

Proof

technique · induction
1.1givenconstruct

Since f(1)=g(1)=1, one has (f∗g)(1)=f(1)g(1)=1. Now let m,n be coprime positive integers. By unique prime factorization from The fundamental theorem of arithmetic: every integer n≥1 is a product of primes, and the factorisation is unique up to order — if ∏i<rpi=∏j<sqj with every pi and qj prime, then r=s and qi=pπ(i) for some π∈Sym⁡(r), every positive divisor of mn is uniquely of the form ab with a∣m and b∣n. In particular, every such pair a,b is coprime.

1.2given

By An arithmetic function has a Dirichlet inverse exactly when its value at 1 is nonzero, the inverse h exists because f(1)=1≠0, and h(1)=1.

2.1step 1.1algebra

Using the divisor splitting from step 1.1 and the multiplicativity of f and g on coprime pairs, (f∗g)(mn)=∑a∣m, b∣nf(ab)g(mn/ab)=∑a∣m, b∣nf(a)f(b)g(m/a)g(n/b)=(∑a∣mf(a)g(m/a))(∑b∣nf(b)g(n/b))=(f∗g)(m)(f∗g)(n). Thus f∗g is multiplicative.

2.2basestep 1.2

To prove h is multiplicative, fix coprime positive integers m,n and argue by strong induction on mn. If m=1 or n=1, then step 1.2 gives h(mn)=h(m)h(n) because h(1)=1.

2.3step 1.1step 1.2ihalgebra

Now assume m,n>1 and that h(uv)=h(u)h(v) for every coprime pair u,v with uv<mn. Since (f∗h)(m)=ε(m)=0 and (f∗h)(n)=ε(n)=0, one has 0=(∑a∣mf(m/a)h(a))(∑b∣nf(n/b)h(b))=∑a∣m, b∣nf(mn/ab)h(a)h(b), where step 1.1 and multiplicativity of f identify f(m/a)f(n/b) with f(mn/ab). For each pair (a,b)≠(m,n), step 1.1 gives gcd⁡(a,b)=1 and ab<mn, so the induction hypothesis yields h(a)h(b)=h(ab). Reindexing the remaining pairs by d=ab via step 1.1 therefore gives 0=h(m)h(n)+∑d∣mnd<mnf(mn/d)h(d).

3.1step 2.3discharge-induction∎

The inverse recursion from An arithmetic function has a Dirichlet inverse exactly when its value at 1 is nonzero at mn gives 0=h(mn)+∑d∣mnd<mnf(mn/d)h(d). Comparing this with step 2.3 shows h(mn)=h(m)h(n). Since the induction was on an arbitrary coprime pair, Strong (complete) induction yields multiplicativity of h.

Depends on

Used by

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Sources