Dirichlet convolution
The Dirichlet convolution is a binary operation defined for arithmetic functions; it is of importance in number theory.
See also:
If
f and
g are two arithmetic functions (i.e. functions from the positive
integers to the
complex numbers), one defines a new arithmetic function
f *
g, the
Dirichlet convolution of
f and
g, by
-
where the sum extends over all positive divisors
d of
n.
Some general properties of this operation include:
- If both f and g are multiplicative, then so is f * g. (Note however that the convolution of two completely multiplicative functions need not be completely multiplicative.)
- f * g = g * f (commutativity)
- (f * g) * h = f * (g * h) (associativity)
- f * (g + h) = f * g + f * h (distributivity)
- f * ε = ε * f = f, where ε is the function defined by ε(n) = 1 if n = 1 and ε(n) = 0 if n > 1.
- To every multiplicative f there exists a multiplicative g such that f * g = ε.
With addition and Dirichlet convolution, the set of arithmetic functions forms a
commutative ring with multiplicative identity ε, the
Dirichlet ring. The units of this ring are the arithmetical functions
f with
f(1) ≠ 0.
Furthermore, the multiplicative functions with convolution form an abelian group with identity element ε. The article on multiplicative functions lists several convolution relations among important multiplicative functions.
If f is an arithmetic function, one defines its L-series by
-
for those
complex arguments
s for which the series converges (if there are any). The multiplication of L-series is compatible with Dirichlet convolution in the following sense:
-
for all
s for which the left hand side exists. This is akin to the
convolution theorem if one thinks of L-series as a
Fourier transform.