Deficient number
Encyclopedia
In number theory
, a deficient number or defective number is a number n for which the sum of divisors σ(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n. The value 2n − σ(n) (or n − s(n)) is called the number's deficiency.
As an example, consider the number 21. Its divisors are 1, 3, 7 and 21, and their sum is 32. Because 32 is less than 2 × 21, the number 21 is deficient. Its deficiency is 2 × 21 − 32 = 10.
s with σ(n) = 2n, and abundant numbers with σ(n) > 2n. The natural number
s were first classified as either deficient, perfect or abundant by Nicomachus
in his Introductio Arithmetica (circa 100).
Number theory
Number theory is a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of the integers. Number theorists study prime numbers as well...
, a deficient number or defective number is a number n for which the sum of divisors σ(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n. The value 2n − σ(n) (or n − s(n)) is called the number's deficiency.
Examples
The first few deficient numbers are:- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 1010 (number)10 is an even natural number following 9 and preceding 11.-In mathematics:Ten is a composite number, its proper divisors being , and...
, 1111 (number)11 is the natural number following 10 and preceding 12.Eleven is the first number which cannot be counted with a human's eight fingers and two thumbs additively. In English, it is the smallest positive integer requiring three syllables and the largest prime number with a single-morpheme name...
, 1313 (number)13 is the natural number after 12 and before 14. It is the smallest number with eight letters in its name spelled out in English. It is also the first of the teens – the numbers 13 through 19 – the ages of teenagers....
, 1414 (number)14 is the natural number following 13 and preceding 15.In speech, the numbers 14 and 40 are often confused. When carefully enunciated, they differ in which syllable is stressed: 14 vs 40...
, 1515 (number)15 is the natural number following 14 and preceding 16. In English, it is the smallest natural number with seven letters in its spelled name....
, 1616 (number)16 is the natural number following 15 and preceding 17. 16 is a composite number, and a square number, being 42 = 4 × 4. It is the smallest number with exactly five divisors, its proper divisors being , , and ....
, 1717 (number)17 is the natural number following 16 and preceding 18. It is prime.In spoken English, the numbers 17 and 70 are sometimes confused because they sound similar. When carefully enunciated, they differ in which syllable is stressed: 17 vs 70...
, 1919 (number)19 is the natural number following 18 and preceding 20. It is a prime number.In English speech, the numbers 19 and 90 are often confused. When carefully enunciated, they differ in which syllable is stressed: 19 vs 90...
, 2121 (number)21 is the natural number following 20 and preceding 22.-In mathematics:Twenty-one is the fifth discrete Semiprime and the second in the family. With 22 it forms the second discrete Semiprime pair...
, 2222 (number)22 is the natural number following 21 and preceding 23.- In mathematics :Twenty-two is an even composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2 and 11....
, 2323 (number)23 is the natural number following 22 and preceding 24.- In mathematics :Twenty-three is the ninth prime number, the smallest odd prime that is not a twin prime. Twenty-three is also the fifth factorial prime, the third Woodall prime...
, 2525 (number)25 is the natural number following 24 and preceding 26.-In mathematics:It is a square number, being 5² = 5 × 5. It is the smallest square that is also a sum of two squares: 25 = 3² + 4²...
, 2626 (number)26 is the natural number following 25 and preceding 27.- In mathematics :26 is the only positive integer that is one greater than a square and one less than a cube .A rhombicuboctahedron has twenty-six sides....
, 2727 (number)27 is the natural number following 26 and preceding 28.- In mathematics :Twenty-seven is a perfect cube, being 33 = 3 × 3 × 3. 27 is also 23 . There are exactly 27 straight lines on a smooth cubic surface, which give a basis of the fundamental representation of the E6 Lie algebra...
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As an example, consider the number 21. Its divisors are 1, 3, 7 and 21, and their sum is 32. Because 32 is less than 2 × 21, the number 21 is deficient. Its deficiency is 2 × 21 − 32 = 10.
Properties
- An infinite number of both even and oddEven and odd numbersIn mathematics, the parity of an object states whether it is even or odd.This concept begins with integers. An even number is an integer that is "evenly divisible" by 2, i.e., divisible by 2 without remainder; an odd number is an integer that is not evenly divisible by 2...
deficient numbers exist
- All odd numbers with one or two distinct prime factors are deficient
- All proper divisorDivisorIn mathematics, a divisor of an integer n, also called a factor of n, is an integer which divides n without leaving a remainder.-Explanation:...
s of deficient or perfect numberPerfect numberIn number theory, a perfect number is a positive integer that is equal to the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of its positive divisors excluding the number itself . Equivalently, a perfect number is a number that is half the sum of all of its positive divisors i.e...
s are deficient.
Related Concepts
Closely related to deficient numbers are perfect numberPerfect number
In number theory, a perfect number is a positive integer that is equal to the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of its positive divisors excluding the number itself . Equivalently, a perfect number is a number that is half the sum of all of its positive divisors i.e...
s with σ(n) = 2n, and abundant numbers with σ(n) > 2n. The natural number
Natural number
In mathematics, the natural numbers are the ordinary whole numbers used for counting and ordering . These purposes are related to the linguistic notions of cardinal and ordinal numbers, respectively...
s were first classified as either deficient, perfect or abundant by Nicomachus
Nicomachus
Nicomachus was an important mathematician in the ancient world and is best known for his works Introduction to Arithmetic and Manual of Harmonics in Greek. He was born in Gerasa, in the Roman province of Syria , and was strongly influenced by Aristotle...
in his Introductio Arithmetica (circa 100).