Abstract
A practical number is a positive integer n such that every positive integer less than n can be written as a sum of distinct divisors of n. We prove that most of the binomial coefficients are practical numbers. Precisely, letting f(n) denote the number of binomial coefficients (nk), with 0≤k≤n, that are not practical numbers, we show that f(n)<n1−(log2−δ)/loglogn for all integers n∈[3,x], but at most Oγ(x1−(δ−γ)/loglogx) exceptions, for all x≥3 and 0<γ<δ<log2. Furthermore, we prove that the central binomial coefficient (2nn) is a practical number for all positive integers n≤x but at most O(x0.88097) exceptions. We also pose some questions on this topic.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-155 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Number Theory |
Volume | 207 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2020 |
Keywords
- Binomial coefficient
- Central binomial coefficient
- Practical number
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Algebra and Number Theory