# HELP! Prove that the number $\sum_{k=2}^{n}\frac{1}{k}$ is not an integer [duplicate]

Prove that the number $$\sum_{k=2}^{n}{1\over k}$$ is not an integer.

## marked as duplicate by S.C.B., Milo Brandt, Blue, Shailesh, SemiclassicalMar 26 '16 at 3:53

• This is a duplicate, I think. – Chad Shin Mar 26 '16 at 3:21
• What do you mean "duplicate"? – Theodoros Mpalis Mar 26 '16 at 3:22
• math.stackexchange.com/questions/2746/… – dezdichado Mar 26 '16 at 3:22
• @dezdichado thank you very much! – Theodoros Mpalis Mar 26 '16 at 3:23
• I recommend you use the search function. It's not always helpful, though. It might help for you to browse some other questions that have been asked before in your free time. – S.C.B. Mar 26 '16 at 3:28

Suppose that $\sum_{i=2}^n \frac{1}{i}$ is an integer, $n>1$. By Bertrand's postulate, there exists a prime $\frac{n}{2}<p<n$. If we make the common denominator of the fraction, we get $$\sum_{i=2}^n \frac{1}{i} = \frac{1}{n!}\sum_{i=1}^n (2\times 3 \times ... \times (i-1) \times (i+1) \times ... \times n)$$.
Note that $p$ divides the denominator of the above fraction, but in the numerator all terms in the sum except the term $(1\times 2 \times ... \times (p-1) \times (p+1) \times ... \times n)$,and because we have assumed that $\frac{n}{2}<p<n$, this term does not divide $p$ because it can't contain a multiple of $p$. Hence it follows that $p$ does not divide the numerator of the fraction. Hence it follows that the fraction cannot be made an integer for any $n$.
• Does the "$\times$" symbol is the same as"$\cdot$" ? – Theodoros Mpalis Mar 26 '16 at 3:29
• Yes, both mean multiplication, but the difference is that $\cdot$ often is used for multiplication in groups and rings, while $\times$ is used for multiplying real numbers . By the way, hope you know about Bertrand's postulate. Erdos proved it at the age of nineteen. – астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг Mar 26 '16 at 3:37
• Of course. But I thought "$\times$" was used for multiplication in groups and rings and "$\cdot$" for real numbers. Maybe it's oposite in my country... – Theodoros Mpalis Mar 26 '16 at 3:47