OFFSET
1,2
COMMENTS
In view of its definition, the Mertens function A002321 does not change sign between two successive zeros. Here we list the extrema, i.e., smallest or largest value, depending on the respective sign, between two zeros, excluding the case where these zeros are immediately adjacent, i.e., A002321(k) = A002321(k+1) = 0.
EXAMPLE
The Mertens function M = A002321 is defined as partial sums of the Möbius function mu. At n = 1 it has the nonzero value M(1) = 1, and at n = 2 it has its first zero, M(2) = 0. Therefore we let a(1) = 1 by convention. (One can also consider that M(0) = 0, the empty sum, is an "initial zero" preceding M(1).)
Between the first and second zero of M = A002321, M(2) = 0 and M(39) = 0, M takes only negative values, and the largest in absolute value is a(2) = -4.
M(39) = 0 is immediately followed by another zero, M(40) = 0, the "empty" interval between these two is ignored by definition.
The next zero is at n = 58. Between n = 40 and n = 58 M takes only negative values, and the minimum is a(3) = -3.
PROG
(PARI) M=0; for(n=1, oo, if(m=A002321(n), abs(m)>abs(M) && M=m, M && M=print1(M", ")))
CROSSREFS
KEYWORD
sign
AUTHOR
M. F. Hasler, May 08 2018
STATUS
approved