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Four Properties of the Euler Phi Function

Subject: Four Properties of the Euler Phi Function
From: "Brendan O'Sullivan"
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 02:39:19 +0100
Newsgroups: sci.math
The following properties of the Euler 'phi' function are troubling me: I am
using the word phi instead of the standard notation, so forgive me in
advance.

(i) Prove that the Euler phi function is multiplicative:

This isn't too bad, I think it is best done with the principle of inclusion
exclusion. Although someone might have a method I have not considered?

(ii) For any positive integers m and n
prove phi(mn)= phi(m).phi(n).(d/phi(d))
where d is the gcd of m and n.

I think the multiplicative nature makes the m and n parts doable, what
happens with d/phi(d)?

(iii) For any positive integers m and n
prove phi(m).phi(n)= phi(gcd(m,n)).phi(lcm(m,n))

It might be possible to use the fact that gcd(m,n)lcm(m,n) = mn? Or does
that move away from the multiplicativity?

(iv) Take n to be a positive integer greater than 1. Prove that the sum of
the integers m with 1<=m<=n that are coprime with n is (n.phi(n))/2
Not sure where this is going?



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