Möbius function

noun

A function from the natural numbers to the set {−1, 0, 1} which maps perfect squares to 0, prime numbers to −1, and is multiplicative.

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Meanings

nounMöbius function (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecombinatoricsA function from the natural numbers to the set {−1, 0, 1} which maps perfect squares to 0, prime numbers to −1, and is multiplicative.

Origin

Named after August Ferdinand Möbius (1790–1868), a German mathematician and theoretical astronomer who introduced it in 1832.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Portuguese função de Möbius
  • função de MöbiusTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Möbius function. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/M%C3%B6bius%20function

MLA

“Möbius function.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/M%C3%B6bius%20function. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Möbius function,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/M%C3%B6bius%20function.

Source: Möbius function on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.