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Multiplicative functions are determined by their prime-power values

Statement

Let f be a multiplicative arithmetic function, and write the canonical prime factorization of n≥1 as

n=∏i<rpiei

with distinct primes pi and exponents ei≥1. Then

f(n)=∏i<rf(piei).

Conversely, if values are prescribed on every prime power pe with e≥1, then there is a unique multiplicative arithmetic function having those prime-power values and f(1)=1.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A multiplicative arithmetic function f and a positive integer n.

Proof

technique · direct
1.1givenalgebra

By For n≥1 and any injective list p:r→Z of primes containing every prime divisor of n, one has n=∏i<rpi vpi(n); the exponents are determined by n, and vq(n)=0 for every prime q outside the list, the prime-power factors piei are pairwise coprime and their product is n. Repeatedly applying multiplicativity gives f(n)=f(∏i<rpiei)=∏i<rf(piei). For n=1 this is the empty product, so it reads f(1)=1.

1.2givenconstruct

For the converse, define F(1):=1 and, for n>1 with canonical factorization n=∏i<rpiei, define F(n):=∏i<rc(piei), where c(pe) is the prescribed prime-power datum. This is well defined because For n≥1 and any injective list p:r→Z of primes containing every prime divisor of n, one has n=∏i<rpi vpi(n); the exponents are determined by n, and vq(n)=0 for every prime q outside the list uniquely determines the primes and exponents.

2.1step 1.2algebra

If gcd⁡(m,n)=1, then the canonical factorization of mn is exactly the disjoint union of the canonical factorizations of m and n, again by For n≥1 and any injective list p:r→Z of primes containing every prime divisor of n, one has n=∏i<rpi vpi(n); the exponents are determined by n, and vq(n)=0 for every prime q outside the list. Therefore the defining products for F(mn), F(m), and F(n) split as F(mn)=F(m)F(n), so F is multiplicative.

3.1step 1.1step 2.1∎

Any multiplicative function with the prescribed prime-power values must satisfy the formula of step 1.1, so it agrees with F on every positive integer. Thus the extension is unique.

Depends on

Used by

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Sources