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Mertens' third theorem for primes

Statement

For every real x≥2,

∏p≤x(1−1p)=e−γlog⁡x(1+O(1/log⁡x)),

where γ is the Euler-Mascheroni constant of The Euler-Mascheroni constant.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A real number x≥2.

[L1]

MIT Problem Set 9, Problem 2(c)--(f), and Tao's displayed equations (25), (34), and the computation immediately before Theorem 26 prove the exact prime-power-weight estimate ∑2≤n≤xΛ(n)nlog⁡n=log⁡log⁡x+γ+O(1/log⁡x). These are the first and third sources listed above.

[L2]
[L3]

For ∣u∣<1, −log⁡(1−u)=∑k≥1ukk ([The power series for log(1+x) on (-1,1], including the Abel endpoint](/item/thm-log-one-plus-x-power-series)).

[L4]

The logarithm laws and the reciprocal-Gamma product identify the same γ as the Euler-Mascheroni constant (Order, continuity, range, and the product, quotient, and reciprocal laws for the natural logarithm, The Weierstrass product for reciprocal Gamma, The Euler-Mascheroni constant).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1L1L2givenalgebra

By [L2], the sum in [L1] is exactly the finite prime-power sum S(x):=∑pk≤x1kpk. Hence S(x)=log⁡log⁡x+γ+O(1/log⁡x).

1.2L3L4givenalgebra

Every factor 1−1/p is positive. Applying [L3] with u=1/p and summing the resulting absolutely convergent series gives −log⁡∏p≤x(1−1p)=∑p≤x∑k≥11kpk.

2.1step 1.1step 1.2algebra

The difference between the sum in step 1.2 and S(x) consists of terms with k≥2, p≤x, and pk>x. For a fixed k, comparison with the positive decreasing series ∑n−k gives ∑p≤xpk>x1kpk={O(x−1/2),2≤k≤⌊log⁡2x⌋,O(2−k),k>⌊log⁡2x⌋. Indeed, in the first range x1/k≥2 and the integral tail is at most a constant times x−(k−1)/k≤x−1/2; in the second range the full tail from n=2 is O(2−k). Summing over k gives ∑p≤x∑k≥11kpk=S(x)+O(log⁡x/x)+O(1/x)=S(x)+O(1/log⁡x).

3.1L4step 1.1step 1.2step 2.1algebra∎

Combining steps 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1 yields log⁡∏p≤x(1−1p)=−log⁡log⁡x−γ+O(1/log⁡x). Exponentiating the bounded O(1/log⁡x) term gives ∏p≤x(1−1p)=e−γlog⁡x(1+O(1/log⁡x)).

Depends on

Used by

Dependency tree · two levels

32 results within two dependency steps of this one, each drawn at its shortest distance from it. An arrow runs from a result to what uses it, so the chart reads left to right and ends at this result, which carries a heavier outline. Every node is a link to that result. Click elsewhere on the chart to enlarge it.

Sources