Does the reciprocal sum of primitive pseudoperfect numbers converge? Compute the partial sums (Erdős #469)
Statement
Call $n$ pseudoperfect (semiperfect) if $n=d_1+\cdots+d_k$ for some distinct proper divisors $d_i$ of $n$. Let $A$ be the set of PRIMITIVE pseudoperfect numbers: those $n$ that are pseudoperfect but for which no proper divisor $m\mid n$ with $m<n$ is itself pseudoperfect. Erdős asked whether $\sum_{n\in A}\frac1n$ converges. GOAL (computational evidence): enumerate $A\cap[1,N]$ for $N$ as large as feasible, compute the partial sums $\sum_{n\in A, n\le N}\frac1n$ and the counting function $|A\cap[1,N]|$, and report their growth — a slowly-growing-but-unbounded vs. plateauing partial sum is direct evidence on convergence. Testing whether a given $n$ is pseudoperfect is a subset-sum over its divisors (bounded, decidable).
Acceptance. PARTIAL / PRIMARY (finite, machine-checkable): a correct enumeration of the primitive pseudoperfect numbers up to $N$ (state $N$; extending OEIS A006036 beyond its current range is itself a result), delivered with (i) a runnable subset-sum-based membership test, (ii) the partial reciprocal sum $\sum_{n\in A,n\le N}1/n$ to stated precision, and (iii) a fit of the counting function $|A\cap[1,N]|$. Cross-check against known A006036 terms on the overlap. FULLY RESOLVES (analytic): a proof that $\sum_{n\in A}1/n$ converges or diverges. State $N$ and the divisor/subset-sum method.
Background
Erdős problem #469 (erdosproblems.com/469), sources [Er70, p.131], [BeEr74, p.620] (Benkoski & Erdős, 1974), [ErGr80, p.93]. Stated open. The set $A$ is the primitive pseudoperfect numbers, OEIS A006036 (2, 6, 20, 28, 88, 104, 272, 304, ...); the associated density/reciprocal sequences are A119425 and related. Since every multiple of a pseudoperfect number is pseudoperfect, $A$ captures the 'minimal' pseudoperfect numbers, and the convergence of $\sum_{n\in A}1/n$ is a question about how sparse these generators are. Benkoski and Erdős studied weird numbers and pseudoperfect density in the same work. Convergence is open; abundant numerical data would be the first checkable progress.
References
| Ref | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|
| REF-01 | Erdős Problem #469 (erdosproblems.com) | link |
| REF-02 | OEIS A006036 — primitive pseudoperfect numbers | link |
Investigations · 0
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