(a) An integer Nis to be selected at random from 1,2,,(10)3in the sense that each integer has the same probability of being selected. What is the probability that Nwill be divisible by 3? by 5? by 7? by 15? by 105? How would your answer change if (10)3is replaced by (10)kas kbecame larger and larger?

(b) An important function in number theory-one whose properties can be shown to be related to what is probably the most important unsolved problem of mathematics, the Riemann hypothesis - is the Möbius function μ(n), defined for all positive integral values nas follows: Factor ninto its prime factors. If there is a repeated prime factor, as in 12=2·2·3or 49=7·7, then μ(n)is defined to equal 0. Now let Nbe chosen at random from 1,2,(10)k, where kis large. Determine P{μ(N)=0}as k. Hint: To compute P{μ(N)0}, use the identity

i=1Pi2-1Pi2=348924254849=6π2

where Piis the i th-smallest prime. (The number 1 is not a prime.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
  1. The ratio of divisible numbers igets closer and closer on the limit gets closer and closer P(N%i=0)1i
  2. The third equality is in fact an approximation since we have that Nis a very large number, so we can consider all primes, not only that are less or equal to N.

Step by step solution

01

Given information Part (a) 

Each integer has the same probability of being selected.

We have to consider numbers 1,2,,103. Every third number out of them is divisible by 3, so there exist 333numbers that are divisible by three. Hence

P(N%3=0)=3331000

02

Calculation Part (a)  

Using the similar argument, we have

P(N%5=0)=2001000

P(N%7=0)=1421000

P(N%15=0)=661000

P(N%105=0)=91000

03

Final answer Part (a)  

If we apply a limit to these probabilities as kgets better and bigger, we could have

P(N%i=0)1i

since the ratio of divisible numbers igets closer and closer on the limit gets closer and closer 1/i.

04

Given information Part (b)  

i=1Pi2-1Pi2=348924254849=6π2

05

Calculation Part (b)  

Observe that number Nhas not double primes in its factorization if and only if it is not divisible by any square of prime number. Hence

P(μ(N)=0)=PN%pi20,for allp-iless or equal toN

=piNPN%pi20

=pi1-PN%pi2=0

=pi1-1pi2

=pipi2-1pi2=6π2

where the third equality is in fact an approximation since we have that N is very large number, so we can consider all primes, not only that are less or equal to N.

06

Final Answer Part (b)

The third equality is in fact an approximation since we have that Nis a very large number, so we can consider all primes, not only that are less or equal to localid="1647535575561" N.N

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