Questions tagged [arithmetic-derivative]

For questions concerning the arithmetic derivative from number theory.

The arithmetic derivative of an integer is defined recursively. Let $n’$ denote the arithmetic derivative of $n$. Then, for prime $p$, and integers $a$, $b$, the following hold:

$$p’=1,$$ $$(ab)’=(a’)b+a(b’).$$

Note that the second rule is analogous to the product rule for usual derivatives.

Arithmetic derivatives can also be extended to the rationals, by adding a third rule, analogous to the usual quotient rule:

$$\left(\frac{a}{b}\right)’=\frac{(a’)b-a(b’)}{b^2}.$$

Reference: Arithmetic Derivative.

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