The Chonkerton

Friendly Numbers

science

Futility Closet reports on an intriguing mathematical property called friendly numbers. When you sum the divisors of 30 and divide by 30 itself, you get twelve-fifths. Do the same with 140 and you get the same result, making them friends. Other known pairs include 2480, 6200, and 40640. But here's the puzzle: no one knows whether 10 has a friendly partner—if it does, its smallest friend would be at least ten to the thirtieth power.

Source: https://www.futilitycloset.com/2026/08/09/friendly-numbers/

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