On the numbers of the form \(\sigma(n)-n\) und \(n-\varphi(n)\). (Q759051)

In 1955, Sierpiński and the author discussed Euler's \(\varphi\)-function and believed that the equation (1) \(n-\varphi(n)=m\) is insoluble for an infinity of values of \(m\). Although no proof of this belief is yet available, the author considers the analogous problem: (2) \(\sigma(n)-n=m\) is insoluble for an infinity of values of \(m\). He proves the statement with the aid of two theorems. Theorem 1: The lower density of the numbers \(m\) for which (2) is insoluble is positive. Theorem 2: Given \(\epsilon >0\) there exists a \(k\) such that for all \(x>x_0(\epsilon,k)\) the function \(A(k,x)\) of numbers \(n \neq\) prime \(p\) for which \(\sigma(n)-n \leq x\), \(\sigma(n)-n \equiv 0 (\mod P_k)\) is valid is smaller than \(\epsilon x/P_k\) where \(P_k\) denotes the product of the first \(k\) primes. He next proves a well-known Lemma: Let \(p\) be an arbitrary prime. The density of the numbers \(n\) with \(\sigma(n) \not\equiv 0(\mod p)\) is 0.