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Re: Four Properties of the Euler Phi Function

Subject: Re: Four Properties of the Euler Phi Function
From: William Elliot
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 02:30:09 -0700
Newsgroups: sci.math
From: Brendan O'Sullivan <bos4@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

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

It's multiplicative only for coprime integers.
phi(nm) = phi(n) phi(m) only when n,m are coprime.

> 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?

That is a direct result of the isomorphisms in the theorem
(m,n) = 1  ==>  Z_mn = Z_m x Z_n,  Z_mn^* = Z_m^* x Z_n^*

Let f be the first isomorphism and show that the same f
restricted to the multiplicative groups is an isomorphism.

Yes, you can use the Chinese Remainder Theorem to show f is surjection.
Alternatively you can use an injection between equinumerous sets is a
surjection.

> (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.

This may be useful
distinct primes p1,.. pk, n = p1^a1 p2^a2 ... pk^ak
        ==> phi(n) = n(1 - 1/p1)(1 - 1/p2)...(1 - 1/pk)

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

(iii) follows from (ii) since nm = (n,m)[n,m]

phi nm = phi m * phi n * (n,m)/phi (n,m)
phi (n,m)[n,m]
        = phi (n,m) * phi [n,m] * ((n,m),[n,m])/phi ((n,m),[n,m])
        = phi (n,m) * phi [n,m] * (n,m)/phi (n,m)

> (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

Do like Gauss by adding
    1   2  ... n-2 n-1
   n-1 n-2 .... 2   1
   -------------------
    n   n ..... n   n

To get 1 +..+ n-1 = n(n - 1)/2
Show when a + b = n and a coprime n, so is b.
Then count the number of additions, viz phi n.

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