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In number theory, an {\sl additive function\/} is an arithmetic function $f \colon \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C}$ with the property that $f(1)=0$ and, for all $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$ with $\gcd(a,b)=1$, $f(ab)=f(a)+f(b)$. In number theory, an {\sl additive function\/} is an arithmetic function $f \colon \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C}$ with the property that $f(1)=0$ and, for all $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$ with $\gcd(a,b)=1$, $f(ab)=f(a)+f(b)$.
An arithmetic function $f$ is said to be {\sl completely additive\/} if $f(1)=0$ and $f(ab)=f(a)+f(b)$ holds for {\sl all\/} $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$, \PMlinkescapetext{even} when they are not relatively prime. In this case, the function is a homomorphism of monoids and, because of the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, is completely determined by its restriction to prime numbers. Every completely additive function is {\sl additive\/}. An arithmetic function $f$ is said to be {\sl completely additive\/} if $f(1)=0$ and $f(ab)=f(a)+f(b)$ holds for {\sl all\/} $a,b \in \mathbb{N}$, \PMlinkescapetext{even} when they are not relatively prime. In this case, the function is a homomorphism of monoids and, because of the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, is completely determined by its restriction to the prime numbers. Every completely additive function is {\sl additive\/}.
Additive functions cannot have convolution inverses since an arithmetic function $f$ has a convolution inverse if and only if $f(1)=0$. A proof of this equivalence is supplied \PMlinkname{here}{ConvolutionInversesForArithmeticFunctions}. Additive functions cannot have convolution inverses since an arithmetic function $f$ has a convolution inverse if and only if $f(1)=0$. A proof of this equivalence is supplied \PMlinkname{here}{ConvolutionInversesForArithmeticFunctions}.
The most common \PMlinkescapetext{type} of additive function in all of mathematics is the logarithm. Other additive functions that are useful in number theory are: The most common \PMlinkescapetext{type} of additive function in all of mathematics is the logarithm. Other additive functions that are useful in number theory are:
\begin{itemize} \begin{itemize}
\item $\omega(n)$, the number of distinct prime factors function \item $\omega(n)$, the number of distinct prime factors function
\item $\Omega(n)$, the \PMlinkname{number of (nondistinct) prime factors function}{NumberOfNondistinctPrimeFactorsFunction} \item $\Omega(n)$, the \PMlinkname{number of (nondistinct) prime factors function}{NumberOfNondistinctPrimeFactorsFunction}
\end{itemize} \end{itemize}
By exponentiating an additive function, a multiplicative function is obtained. For example, the function $\displaystyle 2^{\omega(n)}$ is multiplicative. By exponentiating an additive function, a multiplicative function is obtained. For example, the function $\displaystyle 2^{\omega(n)}$ is multiplicative.