Might there be a Skewes number for semiprimes?
$begingroup$
Briefly the question here is whether there is or could be a theorem analogous to that of Littlewood for semiprimes (generalized prime numbers which are products of two primes, repetitions allowed), and so a Skewes-type number for semiprimes. In other words, whether we might have
$$li_2(x)-pi_2(x)=Omega_{pm}f(x)$$
for a function of x not too different from that in Littlewood's theorem.
The graph below is of the absolute difference between $li_k(x)$ and $pi_k(x)$ for $k=$ 1-14, 1-16, 1-18, 1-20 for $x=2^{14},2^{16},2^{18},2^{20},$ the [almost invisible] green, ochre, violet and blue lines, respectively, in which
$$li_k(x):=int_2^xfrac{ (loglog t)^{k-1}}{log tcdot(k-1)!}dt. $$
I hope it is clear enough where $li_k$ comes from. Just as $li(x)$ is a better estimate of $pi(x)$ than $x/log x,$ $li_2(x)$ is a better approximation of $pi_2(x)$ than the corresponding prime counting function for values I have checked. More to the point, there is no Skewes theorem for $x/log x$ which for $xgeq 17$ does not exceed $pi(x)$ (see Wiki article on the prime counting function).
The x-axis begins at k=1 on the left, and (for example) the first value for the blue line is $li(2^{20})-pi(2^{20})approx 110.5,$ so while it is difficult to see, the first values are all $>0$, as we expect, since $li(x)>pi(x)$ until the first Skewes number (about $1.397x10^{316}$, according to the Wiki page on this topic).
Parenthetically, I think we can show that the lines (joining points at k=2,3 in this picture) cross the x-axis (negative to positive) near the mean number of factors of $x,$ which is asymptotically $loglog x.$ Also, the sum of the points below zero is algebraically equal to the sum of those above zero.
So for an x just beyond Skewes number the graph changes sign (if I have calculated correctly) near 3.8 and the first point at k=1 is now negative, and it is tempting to speculate (and well beyond the scope of the question but included for context) that the entire set of points changes sign.
prime-numbers asymptotics analytic-number-theory
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Briefly the question here is whether there is or could be a theorem analogous to that of Littlewood for semiprimes (generalized prime numbers which are products of two primes, repetitions allowed), and so a Skewes-type number for semiprimes. In other words, whether we might have
$$li_2(x)-pi_2(x)=Omega_{pm}f(x)$$
for a function of x not too different from that in Littlewood's theorem.
The graph below is of the absolute difference between $li_k(x)$ and $pi_k(x)$ for $k=$ 1-14, 1-16, 1-18, 1-20 for $x=2^{14},2^{16},2^{18},2^{20},$ the [almost invisible] green, ochre, violet and blue lines, respectively, in which
$$li_k(x):=int_2^xfrac{ (loglog t)^{k-1}}{log tcdot(k-1)!}dt. $$
I hope it is clear enough where $li_k$ comes from. Just as $li(x)$ is a better estimate of $pi(x)$ than $x/log x,$ $li_2(x)$ is a better approximation of $pi_2(x)$ than the corresponding prime counting function for values I have checked. More to the point, there is no Skewes theorem for $x/log x$ which for $xgeq 17$ does not exceed $pi(x)$ (see Wiki article on the prime counting function).
The x-axis begins at k=1 on the left, and (for example) the first value for the blue line is $li(2^{20})-pi(2^{20})approx 110.5,$ so while it is difficult to see, the first values are all $>0$, as we expect, since $li(x)>pi(x)$ until the first Skewes number (about $1.397x10^{316}$, according to the Wiki page on this topic).
Parenthetically, I think we can show that the lines (joining points at k=2,3 in this picture) cross the x-axis (negative to positive) near the mean number of factors of $x,$ which is asymptotically $loglog x.$ Also, the sum of the points below zero is algebraically equal to the sum of those above zero.
So for an x just beyond Skewes number the graph changes sign (if I have calculated correctly) near 3.8 and the first point at k=1 is now negative, and it is tempting to speculate (and well beyond the scope of the question but included for context) that the entire set of points changes sign.
prime-numbers asymptotics analytic-number-theory
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
1
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Briefly the question here is whether there is or could be a theorem analogous to that of Littlewood for semiprimes (generalized prime numbers which are products of two primes, repetitions allowed), and so a Skewes-type number for semiprimes. In other words, whether we might have
$$li_2(x)-pi_2(x)=Omega_{pm}f(x)$$
for a function of x not too different from that in Littlewood's theorem.
The graph below is of the absolute difference between $li_k(x)$ and $pi_k(x)$ for $k=$ 1-14, 1-16, 1-18, 1-20 for $x=2^{14},2^{16},2^{18},2^{20},$ the [almost invisible] green, ochre, violet and blue lines, respectively, in which
$$li_k(x):=int_2^xfrac{ (loglog t)^{k-1}}{log tcdot(k-1)!}dt. $$
I hope it is clear enough where $li_k$ comes from. Just as $li(x)$ is a better estimate of $pi(x)$ than $x/log x,$ $li_2(x)$ is a better approximation of $pi_2(x)$ than the corresponding prime counting function for values I have checked. More to the point, there is no Skewes theorem for $x/log x$ which for $xgeq 17$ does not exceed $pi(x)$ (see Wiki article on the prime counting function).
The x-axis begins at k=1 on the left, and (for example) the first value for the blue line is $li(2^{20})-pi(2^{20})approx 110.5,$ so while it is difficult to see, the first values are all $>0$, as we expect, since $li(x)>pi(x)$ until the first Skewes number (about $1.397x10^{316}$, according to the Wiki page on this topic).
Parenthetically, I think we can show that the lines (joining points at k=2,3 in this picture) cross the x-axis (negative to positive) near the mean number of factors of $x,$ which is asymptotically $loglog x.$ Also, the sum of the points below zero is algebraically equal to the sum of those above zero.
So for an x just beyond Skewes number the graph changes sign (if I have calculated correctly) near 3.8 and the first point at k=1 is now negative, and it is tempting to speculate (and well beyond the scope of the question but included for context) that the entire set of points changes sign.
prime-numbers asymptotics analytic-number-theory
$endgroup$
Briefly the question here is whether there is or could be a theorem analogous to that of Littlewood for semiprimes (generalized prime numbers which are products of two primes, repetitions allowed), and so a Skewes-type number for semiprimes. In other words, whether we might have
$$li_2(x)-pi_2(x)=Omega_{pm}f(x)$$
for a function of x not too different from that in Littlewood's theorem.
The graph below is of the absolute difference between $li_k(x)$ and $pi_k(x)$ for $k=$ 1-14, 1-16, 1-18, 1-20 for $x=2^{14},2^{16},2^{18},2^{20},$ the [almost invisible] green, ochre, violet and blue lines, respectively, in which
$$li_k(x):=int_2^xfrac{ (loglog t)^{k-1}}{log tcdot(k-1)!}dt. $$
I hope it is clear enough where $li_k$ comes from. Just as $li(x)$ is a better estimate of $pi(x)$ than $x/log x,$ $li_2(x)$ is a better approximation of $pi_2(x)$ than the corresponding prime counting function for values I have checked. More to the point, there is no Skewes theorem for $x/log x$ which for $xgeq 17$ does not exceed $pi(x)$ (see Wiki article on the prime counting function).
The x-axis begins at k=1 on the left, and (for example) the first value for the blue line is $li(2^{20})-pi(2^{20})approx 110.5,$ so while it is difficult to see, the first values are all $>0$, as we expect, since $li(x)>pi(x)$ until the first Skewes number (about $1.397x10^{316}$, according to the Wiki page on this topic).
Parenthetically, I think we can show that the lines (joining points at k=2,3 in this picture) cross the x-axis (negative to positive) near the mean number of factors of $x,$ which is asymptotically $loglog x.$ Also, the sum of the points below zero is algebraically equal to the sum of those above zero.
So for an x just beyond Skewes number the graph changes sign (if I have calculated correctly) near 3.8 and the first point at k=1 is now negative, and it is tempting to speculate (and well beyond the scope of the question but included for context) that the entire set of points changes sign.
prime-numbers asymptotics analytic-number-theory
prime-numbers asymptotics analytic-number-theory
edited Dec 9 '18 at 12:38
daniel
asked Dec 2 '18 at 17:03
danieldaniel
6,22022157
6,22022157
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
1
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47
add a comment |
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
1
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
1
1
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47
add a comment |
0
active
oldest
votes
Your Answer
StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
});
});
}, "mathjax-editing");
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "69"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3022893%2fmight-there-be-a-skewes-number-for-semiprimes%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
0
active
oldest
votes
0
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Thanks for contributing an answer to Mathematics Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3022893%2fmight-there-be-a-skewes-number-for-semiprimes%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
$begingroup$
What is a "nearprime" ? I only know the name "semiprime" for a number being the product of two primes, not necessarily distinct.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 3 '18 at 18:36
1
$begingroup$
@Peter: Where I heard "near-prime" I don't know. Semiprime is what I intended, and as you define it. Will wait to edit until I am pretty sure there aren't more things to clarify.
$endgroup$
– daniel
Dec 3 '18 at 18:47