The formula to calculate Euler Phi function

arithmetic-functionsnumber theory

I know that $$\phi(m)=m\prod_{i=1}^{n}\left(1-\frac{1}{p_i}\right)\text{ Where }m=\prod_{i=1}^n p_i^{a_i}$$

But when i tried to find a formula of $\phi(n)$ i got this:
$$\phi(m)=\phi \left(\prod_{i=1}^n p_i^{a_i}\right) = \prod_{i=1}^n \phi(p_i^{a_i}) $$ Now since $\phi(p^m)=p^m -p^{m-1}$, Thus:
$$\phi(m)=\prod_{i=1}^n \left(p_i^{a_i}-p_i^{a_i-1}\right )$$

Is this’s a valid proof? and if it is why most people are using this formula:
$$\phi(m)=m\prod_{i=1}^{n}\left(1-\frac{1}{p_i}\right) $$
Side note:

I’ve used the same method to find the formula of $\sigma(n)$ and $\sigma_m(n)$

Best Answer

Your proof is valid (assuming you already proved the facts you used about $\phi$). Both formulas are practically equivalent

$$\prod_{i=1}^n (p_i^{a_i}-p_i^{a_i-1} ) =\prod_{i=1}^n p_i^{a_i}\left(1-\frac{1}{p_i}\right) = m \prod_{i=1}^n \left(1-\frac{1}{p_i}\right) $$

and both are widely used.

Related Question