Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2608.25591

A Short Proof of a Conjecture Regarding Quadratic Representations of Practical Numbers

Ting Hon Stanford Li
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A positive integer $n$ is called a practical number if every positive integer less than or equal to $n$ can be expressed as a sum of distinct positive divisors of $n$. In this paper, we study an open conjecture proposed by Wang and Sun concerning the quadratic representations of practical numbers. Specifically, we provide a short proof of the second part of the conjecture, demonstrating that for any positive integers $b$ and $c$ with $2 \nmid b$ and $2 \mid c$, there exists an integer $n$ satisfying $1 < n \le \max\{b, c\}$ such that $n^2 + bn + c$ is a practical number. Combined with the work of Somu, Li, and Kukla, this completely settles the conjecture of Wang and Sun.

Explore related subjects

math.NT

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Ting Hon Stanford Li. 2026-09-15. A Short Proof of a Conjecture Regarding Quadratic Representations of Practical Numbers. https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.25591

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

On the factorisation of the $p$-adic Rankin-Selberg $L$-function in the supersingular case

Given a cusp form $f$ which is supersingular at a fixed prime $p$ away from the level, and a Coleman family $F$ through one of its $p$-stabilisations, we construct a $2$-variable meromorphic $p$-adic $L$-function for the symmetric square of $F$. We prove that this new $p$-adic $L$-function interpolates values of complex imprimitive symmetric square $L$-functions, for the various specialisations of the family $F$. We use this $p$-adic $L$-function to prove a $p$-adic factorisation formula, expressing the geometric $p$-adic $L$-function attached to the Rankin--Selberg convolution of $f$ with itself as a the product of the $p$-adic symmetric square $L$-function of $f$ and a Kubota-Leopoldt $L$-function. This extends a result of Dasgupta in the ordinary case.

math.NT↗
arXiv2026

Exceptional poles of archimedean Rankin-Selberg L-functions for irreducible generic representations of GL(n,R)

For irreducible generic representations $π_1$ and $π_2$ of $\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb R)$, we prove that the notions of exceptional pole of type $1$ and type $2$ coincide at every level. When both representations are in general position, we use this identification to express the Rankin--Selberg $L$-function $L(s,π_1\timesπ_2)$ in terms of the exceptional $L$-factors attached to the irreducible constituents of their derivatives.

math.NT↗