English

Resolution of two conjectures by Erd\H{o}s and Hall concerning separable numbers

Number Theory 2026-05-25 v2

Abstract

Erd\H{o}s and Hall defined a pair (m,n)(m, n) of positive integers to be interlocking, if between any pair of consecutive divisors (both larger than 11) of nn (resp. mm) there is a divisor of mm (resp. nn). A positive integer is said to be separable if it belongs to an interlocking pair. We prove that the lower density of separable powers of two is positive, as well as the lower density of powers of two which are not separable. Finally, we prove that the number of interlocking pairs whose product is equal to the product of the first primes, is finite. We hereby resolve two conjectures by Erd\H{o}s and Hall.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2510.19727,
  title  = {Resolution of two conjectures by Erd\H{o}s and Hall concerning separable numbers},
  author = {Stijn Cambie and Wouter van Doorn},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.19727},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

5 Pages v2: computerverification (ref. to Lean code) added