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Carlo Beenakker
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this variable $\Omega(n)$, the number of prime factors of $n$ counting multiplicity, has for large $n$ a normal distribution with mean [*] $1+\log(\log n)$ and standard deviation $[\log(\log n)]^{1/2}$; see, for example, Prime Numbers and Computer Methods for Factorization, page 167 [first edition], page 159 [second edition].

[*] more precisely, this additive constant 1 should be replaced by $1.03465\ldots$ as calculated by Knuth and Trabb-Pardo (appendix A); incidentally, if we don't count multiplicities the normal distribution has mean $0.26+\log(\log n)$ with the same standard deviation $[\log(\log n)]^{1/2}$, so the only difference is a slight displacement of the whole curve.


--- update 2020, in response to query:

the "0.26" number is defined as $$c_1= \gamma+\sum_{p\;\text{prime}}\biggl(\log(1-1/p)+\frac{1}{p}\biggr)= 0.261497212847643$$ while the "1.03" number is defined as $$c_2=\gamma+\sum_{p\;\text{prime}}\biggl(\log(1-1/p)+\frac{1}{p-1}\biggr)= 1.034653881897438$$ The number $c_1$ is known as the Meissel-Mertens constant. Both $c_1$ and $c_2$ are also referred to as Hadamard-Vallée Poussin Constants

Carlo Beenakker
  • 188.2k
  • 18
  • 448
  • 651