[Math] Sum of reciprocals of odd numbers that add up to $2$

elementary-number-theorysequences-and-series

It is well known that certain sums of reciprocals add up to $2$:

  • the reciprocals of powers of $2$:

$$
{1 \over 1}+{1 \over 2}+{1 \over 4}+{1 \over 8}+{1 \over 16}+{1 \over 32}+\cdots =2,
$$

  • the reciprocals of the triangular numbers:

$$
{1 \over 1}+{1 \over 3}+{1 \over 6}+{1 \over 10}+{1 \over 15}+{1 \over 21}+\cdots =2,
$$

  • $\ldots$

Are there any sums such that $\sum_{i=0}^{\infty} s_i^{-1}=2$ for which all the $s_i$ are all distinct odd positive integers?

Similarly, are there any sums such that $\exists k\in\mathbb{Z}, k>0$ such that $\sum_{i=0}^{k} s_i^{-1}=2$ for which all the $s_i$ are all distinct odd positive integers?

Best Answer

If you allow $\frac{1}{1}$, which you seem to, judging by your question:

Try adding the reciprocals of $1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 21, 27, 35, 63, 105, 135$.

Found by choosing an odd abundant number, namely $945$ and finding a sum of factors that adds to $2\cdot 945$:

$945+315+189+135+105+63+45+35+27+15+9+7=2\cdot 945$.

Then divide this equation by $945$, reducing the individual fractions on the left.