iterated sum of divisors function
The iterated sum of divisors function is in the recurrence relation and for , where is the sum of divisors function.
Since itself is included in the set of its divisors, the sequence
generated by repeated iterations is an increasing sequence (that is, in ascending order). For example, iterating the sum of divisors function for gives the sequence 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, etc. Erdős conjectured that there is a limit for as approaches infinity
.
References
- 1 R. K. Guy, Unsolved Problems in Number Theory
New York: Springer-Verlag 2004: B9