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Jordan's totient function

Jordan's totient function is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Jordan's totient function rather than just read about it. In short: In number theory, Jordan's totient function, denoted as J k ( n ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)} , where k {\displaystyle k} is a positive integer, is a function of a positive integer, n {\displaystyle n} , that equals the number of k {\displaystyle k} -tuples of positive integers that are less than or equal to n {\displaystyle n} and that together with n {\displaystyle n} form a coprime set of k + 1 {\displaystyle k+1} i…

Key takeaways

  • Jordan's totient function belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Jordan's totient function to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Jordan's totient function from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In number theory, Jordan's totient function, denoted as J k ( n ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)} , where k {\displaystyle k} is a positive integer, is a function of a positive integer, n {\displaystyle n} , that equals the number of k {\displaystyle k} -tuples of positive integers that are less than or equal to n {\displaystyle n} and that together with n {\displaystyle n} form a coprime set of k + 1 {\displaystyle k+1} integers. Jordan's totient function is a generalization of Euler's totient function, which is the same as J 1 ( n ) {\displaystyle J_{1}(n)} . The function is named after Camille Jordan.

Definition For each positive integer k {\displaystyle k} , Jordan's totient function J k {\displaystyle J_{k}} is multiplicative and may be evaluated as

J k ( n ) = n k ∏ p | n ( 1 − 1 p k ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)=n^{k}\prod _{p|n}\left(1-{\frac {1}{p^{k}}}\right)\,} , where p {\displaystyle p} ranges through the prime divisors of n {\displaystyle n} .

Properties

∑ d | n J k ( d ) = n k . {\displaystyle \sum _{d|n}J_{k}(d)=n^{k}.\,}

which may be written in the language of Dirichlet convolutions as

J k ( n ) ⋆ 1 = n k {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)\star 1=n^{k}\,}

and via Möbius inversion as

J k ( n ) = μ ( n ) ⋆ n k {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)=\mu (n)\star n^{k}} . Since the Dirichlet generating function of μ {\displaystyle \mu } is 1 / ζ ( s ) {\displaystyle 1/\zeta (s)} and the Dirichlet generating function of n k {\displaystyle n^{k}} is ζ ( s − k ) {\displaystyle \zeta (s-k)} , the series for J k {\displaystyle J_{k}} becomes

∑ n ≥ 1 J k ( n ) n s = ζ ( s − k ) ζ ( s ) {\displaystyle \sum _{n\geq 1}{\frac {J_{k}(n)}{n^{s}}}={\frac {\zeta (s-k)}{\zeta (s)}}} . An average order of J k ( n ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)} is

J k ( n ) ∼ n k ζ ( k + 1 ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)\sim {\frac {n^{k}}{\zeta (k+1)}}} . The Dedekind psi function is

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Jordan's totient function

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Jordan's totient function claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Jordan's totient function before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Jordan's totient function ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Jordan's totient function

In research
Jordan's totient function appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Jordan's totient function in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Jordan's totient function is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Modular arithmetic, Multiplicative functions, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Jordan's totient function outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Jordan's totient function in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Jordan's totient function means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Jordan's totient function out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jordan's totient function in simple terms?

In number theory, Jordan's totient function, denoted as J k ( n ) {\displaystyle J_{k}(n)} , where k {\displaystyle k} is a positive integer, is a function of a positive integer, n {\displaystyle n} , that equals the number of k {\displaystyle k} -tuples of positive integers that are less than or e…

Why does Jordan's totient function matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Jordan's totient function?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Jordan's totient function.

Tags

  • Modular arithmetic
  • Multiplicative functions

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