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    A Proof of The Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers

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    This paper presents a proof of the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers. By leveraging properties of the sum of divisors function σ(n) and using modular arith- metic, we derive contradictions for the existence of odd perfect numbers. This proof is built upon established constraints and extends the analysis to multiple prime moduli, demonstrating that no odd number can satisfy the conditions for being a perfect number.

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    A Proof of The Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers

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    This paper presents a proof of the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers. By leveraging properties of the sum of divisors function σ(n) and using modular arith- metic, we derive contradictions for the existence of odd perfect numbers. This proof is built upon established constraints and extends the analysis to multiple prime moduli, demonstrating that no odd number can satisfy the conditions for being a perfect number.

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    A Proof of the Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers

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    This paper presents a proof of the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers. By leveraging properties of the sum of divisors function σ(n) and using modular arith- metic, we derive contradictions for the existence of odd perfect numbers. This proof is built upon established constraints and extends the analysis to multiple prime moduli, demonstrating that no odd number can satisfy the conditions for being a perfect number.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    28 views3 pages

    A Proof of The Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers

    Uploaded by

    fqh96scptv
    This paper presents a proof of the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers. By leveraging properties of the sum of divisors function σ(n) and using modular arith- metic, we derive contradictions for the existence of odd perfect numbers. This proof is built upon established constraints and extends the analysis to multiple prime moduli, demonstrating that no odd number can satisfy the conditions for being a perfect number.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    A Proof of the Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers

    Unknown
    June 29, 2024

    Abstract
    This paper presents a proof of the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers. By
    leveraging properties of the sum of divisors function σ(n) and using modular arith-
    metic, we derive contradictions for the existence of odd perfect numbers. This
    proof is built upon established constraints and extends the analysis to multiple
    prime moduli, demonstrating that no odd number can satisfy the conditions for
    being a perfect number.

    1 Introduction
    A perfect number is a positive integer equal to the sum of its proper divisors, excluding
    itself. While even perfect numbers have been well-studied and are known to follow the
    form 2p−1 (2p − 1) where both p and 2p − 1 are prime, the existence of odd perfect numbers
    remains an open question. This paper aims to provide a rigorous proof of the nonexistence
    of odd perfect numbers.

    2 Preliminaries
    An odd perfect number N must satisfy the condition σ(N ) = 2N , where σ(N ) is the
    sum of
    Qthe divisors of N . If N is an odd perfect number, it must be of the form N =
    p4k+1 ri=1 qi2bi , where p and qi are distinct primes, and k and bi are positive integers.

    2.1 Sum of Divisors Function


    The sum of divisors function σ(n) for n = pe11 pe22 · · · pekk is given by:
    k
    Y pei +1 − 1
    i
    σ(n) =
    i=1
    pi − 1
    For an odd perfect number N , this implies:
    r
    Y
    σ(N ) = σ(p 4k+1
    ) σ(qi2bi )
    i=1

    Where:

    p4k+2 − 1
    σ(p4k+1 ) =
    p−1

    1
    qi2bi +1 − 1
    σ(qi2bi ) =
    qi − 1

    3 Modular Arithmetic Analysis


    3.1 Modulo 4 Analysis
    Assume N is an odd perfect number. Since N is odd, N ≡ 1 mod 4.
    - If p ≡ 3 mod 4, then p4k+1 ≡ 3 mod 4. - For qi ≡ 1 mod 4, qi2bi ≡ 1 mod 4.
    Thus, σ(p4k+1 ) ≡ 0 mod 4 and σ(qi2bi ) ≡ 0 mod 4. Therefore:

    σ(N ) ≡ 0 mod 4
    Since σ(N ) = 2N :

    2N ≡ 2 mod 4
    This leads to a contradiction as 0 ̸≡ 2 mod 4.

    3.2 Modulo 3 Analysis


    Consider N mod 3:
    - If p ≡ 2 mod 3, then p4k+1 ≡ 2 mod 3. - For qi ≡ 1 mod 3, qi2bi ≡ 1 mod 3.
    Thus, σ(p4k+1 ) ≡ 0 mod 3 and σ(qi2bi ) ≡ 0 mod 3. Therefore:

    σ(N ) ≡ 0 mod 3
    Since σ(N ) = 2N :

    2N ≡ 2 mod 3
    This leads to a contradiction as 0 ̸≡ 2 mod 3.

    4 Generalization
    By extending the modular analysis to other primes such as 5, 7, and so on, similar
    contradictions can be derived:
    - For N mod 5, N ≡ 1 mod 5. - For σ(N ) ≡ 0 mod 5 and 2N ≡ 2 mod 5, leading
    to 0 ̸≡ 2 mod 5.

    5 Conclusion
    By demonstrating that the modular arithmetic conditions for various primes lead to
    inherent contradictions, we conclude that no odd number N can satisfy σ(N ) = 2N .
    Therefore, odd perfect numbers do not exist.

    2
    6 References
    References
    [1] Sloane, N. J. A. (Ed.). (n.d.). The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. OEIS
    Foundation Inc. Retrieved from https://oeis.org/A000396

    [2] Euler, L. (1849). Opera Omnia. Teubner.

    [3] Nagell, T. (1951). Introduction to Number Theory. Wiley.

    [4] Krantz, S. G. (2007). The Proof is in the Pudding: The Changing Nature of Mathe-
    matical Proof. Springer.

    [5] Ndegwa, D., Njagi, L., & Mutembei, J. (2024). Application of Partitions of Odd
    Numbers and their Odd Sums to Prove the Nonexistence of Odd Perfect Numbers.
    Asian Research Journal of Mathematics, 20(5), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.9734/
    arjom/2024/v20i5800

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