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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The band invariant of central-divisor exception sets: a closed form, its chamber structure, and the squarefree counting theorem

Authors: Fodge, Eric;

The band invariant of central-divisor exception sets: a closed form, its chamber structure, and the squarefree counting theorem

Abstract

For a positive integer n, let g(n) be the largest divisor of n not exceeding sqrt(n) (OEIS A033676), and let X_a be the central-divisor exception set: the composite m in [a, a^2] for which g(am) = a, equivalently the m for which am has no divisor in the central window (a, sqrt(am)] (the rows of OEIS A163925). A companion note proves the band law that X_a is contained in {m a } is the band invariant and d-(.) denotes the predecessor in the divisor lattice of a. This note develops the squarefree theory of beta and X_a, writing a = p_1...p_k with p_1 =j+2} p_i). The proof reduces the two-divisor optimization to a one-divisor one, showing that beta(a) equals a divided by the largest ratio of consecutive divisors of a, and that this largest ratio is attained at a prime. The formula unifies the prime, two-prime, and three-prime squarefree formulas of the companion notes and complements the prime-power chain formula beta(p^k) = p^{k-1}. The second result describes the chamber structure: the minimizing index is governed by an explicit rule on the logarithmic shape of a, with the active chamber advancing from j-1 to j exactly when p_{j+1} > p_j^2. The third result is a universal survivor family. For every chamber j, if x and y are distinct primes, neither a prime factor of a, with P_j < x < p_{j+1} and a/x < y < a/P_j, then xy lies in X_a. The fourth result is an unconditional counting theorem: for fixed k and fixed logarithmic shape, |X_a| is of order a^2 / (beta(a) log^2 a), with implied constants depending only on k and the limiting shape. The lower bound comes from the survivor family together with the prime number theorem; the upper bound from the divisor-pair fiber decomposition together with a one-dimensional Selberg upper-bound sieve for rough integers, there being only O_k(1) fibers, each with denominator at least beta(a). The arguments are elementary, resting on the divisor lattice of a, the prime number theorem, and a standard sieve estimate; no unproved hypotheses are used, in particular no Riemann Hypothesis and no primes-in-short-intervals input. The result turns the companion casework into a closed squarefree theory in which the exception-cloud size is governed by a single divisor-lattice invariant: the reciprocal of the largest consecutive-divisor ratio of a. This is part of a series on the central-divisor exception cloud of g(n) = A033676, with the prime, prime-power, two-prime, and three-prime layers treated in the companion notes.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
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