The problem:
Let τ(n) denote the Ramanujan τ-function and σ(n) be the sum of the positive divisors of n. Show that
(1−n)τ(n)=24n−1∑j=1σ(j)τ(n−j).
I'm afraid I don't even know how to start on this one.. My main problem is the τ function is defined as the coefficients of the q-series of the modular form Δ, but that isn't (at least to my knowledge) very helpful in handling it. The properties that we have are all of a multiplicative nature (i.e., τ is multiplicative and τ(pa+2)=τ(p)τ(pa+1)−p11τ(pa)) which don't seem particularly well suited in a problem involving a sum.
Any hints, even just how to get started, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Edit
As per Matt E's message, one can define, for any modular form f, an operator δ so that δf=12θf−12E2f, where θ=qddq. We wish to look at δΔ. We have
δΔ=12θΔ−12E2Δ=12θ(∞∑n=1τ(n)qn)−12E2Δ=12q(∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn−1)−12E2Δ=12(∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn)−12E2Δ.
Now δΔ is a cusp form of weight 14, of which there are none that are non-zero. Thus we must have
12(∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn)=12E2Δ.
Thus we may simplify a little and plug in the a series representation of E2 to find
∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn=(1−24∞∑n=1σ(n)qn)∞∑n=1τ(n)qn.
Expanding the right hand side, and simplifying some more gives
∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn=∞∑n=1τ(n)qn−24∞∑n=1σ(n)qn∞∑n=1τ(n)qn,
so we have
∞∑n=1nτ(n)qn−∞∑n=1τ(n)qn=−24∞∑n=1σ(n)qn∞∑n=1τ(n)qn.
The end of the tunnel is starting to appear, as the left hand side looks quite nice at this point. We settle both sides into a single sum, so that we may match the coefficients on the left and right hand sides easily. We have
∞∑n=1τ(n)(n−1)qn=−24∞∑n=1(n−1∑j=1σ(j)τ(n−j)qn),
so multiplying both sides by −1 and matching up the coefficients gives
τ(n)(n−1)=−24(n−1∑j=1σ(j)τ(n−j))
for all n≥1, as desired.
Answer
Apply the operator Δ discussed in this question to the modular form Δ (sorry for the conflict of notation vis-a-vis Δ!). The result is a modular form of weight 14. What can you say about it?
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