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Number theory Difficulty 8.0 Shortlist Find the answer

Let C={4,6,8,9,10,}C=\{4,6,8,9,10, \ldots\} be the set of composite positive integers. For each nCn \in C let ana_{n} be the smallest positive integer kk such that kk ! is divisible by nn. Determine whether the following series converges: nC(ann)n\sum_{n \in C}\left(\frac{a_{n}}{n}\right)^{n}

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

The series converges. We will show that ann23\frac{a_{n}}{n} \leq \frac{2}{3} for n>4n>4; then the geometric series (23)n\sum\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{n} majorizes the series. Case 1: nn has at least two distinct prime divisors. Then nn can be factored as n=qrn=q r with some co-prime positive integers q,r2q, r \geq 2; without loss of generality we can assume q>rq>r. Notice that qqq \mid q ! and rr!qr|r!| q !, so n=qrqn=q r \mid q !; this shows anqa_{n} \leq q and therefore annqn=1r12\frac{a_{n}}{n} \leq \frac{q}{n}=\frac{1}{r} \leq \frac{1}{2}. Case 2: nn is the square of a prime, n=p2n=p^{2} with some prime p3p \geq 3. From p2p2p(2p)p^{2}|p \cdot 2 p|(2 p) ! we obtain an=2pa_{n}=2 p, so ann=2pp2=2p23\frac{a_{n}}{n}=\frac{2 p}{p^{2}}=\frac{2}{p} \leq \frac{2}{3}. Case 3: nn is a prime power, n=pkn=p^{k} with some prime pp and k3k \geq 3. Notice that n=pkpp2pk1n=p^{k} \mid p \cdot p^{2} \cdots p^{k-1}, so anpk1a_{n} \leq p^{k-1} and therefore annpk1pk=1p12\frac{a_{n}}{n} \leq \frac{p^{k-1}}{p^{k}}=\frac{1}{p} \leq \frac{1}{2}.

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