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Erdős problem 291

More generally, if the leading digit of nn in base pp is p−1p-1 then p∣(an,Ln)p\mid (a_n,L_n). There is in fact a necessary and sufficient condition: a prime p≤np\leq n divides (an,Ln)(a_n,L_n) if and only if pp divides the numerator of 1+⋯+1k1+\cdots+\frac{1}{k}, where kk is the leading digit of nn in base pp. This can be seen by writing an=Ln1+⋯+Lnna_n = \frac{L_n}{1}+\cdots+\frac{L_n}{n} and observing that the right-hand side is congruent to 1+⋯+1/k1+\cdots+1/k modulo pp. (The previous claim about p−1p-1 follows immediately from Wolstenholme's theorem.)

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8 retained statements36c6d0fef71a

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FormalConjectures/ErdosProblems/

291.lean

Retained formal statement3 of 8

Is it true that (an,Ln)>1(a_n,L_n)>1 occurs for infinitely many nn?

Steinerberger has observed that the answer to the second question is trivially yes: for example, any nn which begins with a 22 in base 33 has 3∣(an,Ln)3\mid (a_n,L_n).

FormalConjectures/ErdosProblems/291.leanErdos291.erdos_291.parts.ii1 lineExact file
True ↔ {n | (Erdos291.a n).gcd (Erdos291.L n) > 1}.Infinite
SolvedStatement only, no proof