For what values of n is phin oddSolutionsuppose that n 1 he
For what values of n is phi(n) odd?
Solution
suppose that n = 1 hence (1) = 1 which is odd hence we can say that (n) is odd for n=1
now assume n 2 has the prime factorization n = p1a1 . . . prar (the pi ’s are distinct primes and each ai 1).
Then (n) = (p1a1) . . . (prar).
If p is an odd prime then pa is odd for all a 0
so we can say that (pa) = pa pa-1 is even for all a 1.
So for (n) to be odd n must not be divisible by any odd prime.
Hence n = 2a for some a 1.
But (n) = 2a 2a-1 is even if a 2.
Hence we must have a = 1 or n = 2. So (n) is odd iff n = 1, 2.
