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arXiv · 2511.03430

Helson's conjecture for smooth numbers

Seth Hardy·Max Wenqiang Xu
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Abstract

Let $\Psi(x,y)$ denote the count of $y$-smooth numbers below $x$ and $P(n)$ denote the largest prime factor of $n$. We prove that for $f$ a Steinhaus random multiplicative function, the partial sums over $y$-smooth numbers always enjoy better than squareroot cancellation, in the sense that $$ \mathbb{E} \Big|\sum_{\substack{1\leq n \leq x\\ P(n) \leq y}} f(n) \Big| = o\left( \Psi(x,y)^{1/2} \right),$$ uniformly on the entire range $ 2 \leq y \leq x$. The bounds are quantitative and give a large saving when $y$ isn't too close to $x$.

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Seth Hardy, Max Wenqiang Xu. 2025-11-05. Helson's conjecture for smooth numbers. https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.03430

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