Multiplicative functions with small increments. I (Q921040)

A complete description is given of the multiplicative functions f that satisfy \[ \sum_{n\leq x}| f(n+K)-f(n)| =O(x) \] for some K. Such a function either satisfies \(\sum_{n\leq x}| f(n)| =O(x)\), or it is of the form \(f(n)=n^{\sigma +it}u(n),\) where \(0<\sigma <1\) and u is a periodic multiplicative function with period K.