In this blog post, we present some recent improvements on the results contained in the paper titled "New Results for Sorli's Conjecture on Odd Perfect Numbers - Part II".
We refer the interested reader to the following arXiv preprint for the latest version of this paper.
Preliminaries
Denote the sum of the divisors of the positive integer $x$ by $\sigma(x)$. For example, $\sigma(6)=1+2+3+6=12$. A number $M$ is called perfect when $\sigma(M)=2M$. Euler showed that an odd perfect number must have the form $q^k n^2$ where $q \equiv k \equiv 1 \pmod 4$ and $\gcd(q, n) = 1$.
Denote the abundancy index I by
$$I(x)=\sigma(x)/x.$$
Note that, if $M$ is perfect, then
$$I(M)=\sigma(M)/M=2M/M=2.$$
Recall that $\sigma$ is weakly multiplicative, that is, it satisfies
$$\sigma(yz)=\sigma(y)\sigma(z)$$
if $\gcd(y,z)=1$. In particular, note that the abundancy index $I$ is also weakly multiplicative, so that if $q^k n^2$ is an odd perfect number, then we have the equation
$$I(q^k)I(n^2) = I({q^k}{n^2}) = 2.$$
Let $N = q^k n^2$ be an odd perfect number with Euler prime $q$.
Descartes, Frenicle, and subsequently Sorli conjectured that $k=1$ always holds. Notice that $\gcd(q, n) = 1$ implies that $q \neq n$ and $q^k \neq n$. Also, we have the bounds $1 < I(qn) \leq I({q^k}n) < 2$, which follows from the fact that ${q^k}n$ is deficient, being a proper divisor of the perfect number $N = q^k n^2$. It follows that we have the following inequations:
$$\sigma(q)/n \neq \sigma(n)/q$$
and
$$\sigma(q^k)/n \neq \sigma(n)/q^k.$$
We will be using the following ("general") bounds from this publication:
$$1 < 1 + \frac{1}{q} = I(q) \leq I(q^k) < \frac{5}{4} < \sqrt[3]{2} < \sqrt{\frac{8}{5}} < I(n) < I(n^2) < 2,$$
or when $k=1$ is known to hold, we will utilize the ("slightly") stronger bounds
$$1 < I(q) = 1 + \frac{1}{q} \leq \frac{6}{5} < \sqrt[3]{2} < \sqrt{\frac{5}{3}} < I(n) < I(n^2) < 2.$$
(Hereinafter, both sets of bounds will be abbreviated as $I(q^k) < \sqrt[3]{2} < I(n)$.)
Improved Lower Bound for $I(n)$
The following result was communicated to Arnie Dris (the author of this blog post) by Pascal Ochem via e-mail, on April 17 2013:
THEOREM P
$$I(n) > \left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\frac{\ln(4/3)}{\ln(13/9)}}.$$
In particular, note that
$$\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\frac{\ln(4/3)}{\ln(13/9)}} > \sqrt{2}.$$
A proof of this claimed lower bound for $I(n)$ was likewise communicated by Ochem to Dris (in the same e-mail), and the details of the proof are presented in this preprint.
We will utilize Theorem P in getting improvements on the results contained in this preprint.
Lemmas
In light of this more recent preprint, we have the following unconditional result:
If $q^k n^2$ is an odd perfect number with Euler prime $q$, then $q^k < n$ is true if and only if the biconditional
$$q^k < n \Longleftrightarrow \left(q^k < n \Longleftrightarrow \sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n) \Longleftrightarrow \sigma(q^k)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k\right)$$
holds.
holds.
From Remark 2.2 (page 2) of this preprint, we have the biconditional
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k} \Longleftrightarrow \left(\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right).$$
First, we show that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k} \Longrightarrow \left(\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right).$$
Since we have the inequality
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{q^k} = I(q^k) < \sqrt[3]{2} < I(n) = \frac{\sigma(n)}{n},$$
it follows that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{q^k}{n}.$$
By assumption, we have
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k},$$
which is equivalent to
$$\frac{q^k}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
Putting everything together, we obtain
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{q^k}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
Now consider the product
$$\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \frac{q^k}{n}\right)\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \frac{q^k}{n}\right),$$
which should be negative. Thus, we have
$$0 > \left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \frac{q^k}{n}\right)\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \frac{q^k}{n}\right) = 1 + \left(\frac{q^k}{n}\right)^2 - {\frac{q^k}{n}}\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right),$$
which implies that
$${\frac{q^k}{n}}\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right) > 1 + \left(\frac{q^k}{n}\right)^2.$$
Finally, we obtain
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
The proof for the other direction
$$\left(\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right) \Longrightarrow \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k}$$
is very similar, and is left as an exercise for the interested reader.
Main Results
By considerations in the preceding paragraphs, we know that $q^k \neq n$. We therefore need to cover two cases:
Case A $q^k < n$
This means that the biconditionals
$$q^k < n \Longleftrightarrow \sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n) \Longrightarrow \sigma(q^k)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k$$
and
$$\sigma(q^k)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k \Longleftrightarrow {q^k}/n + n/{q^k} < \sigma(q^k)/\sigma(n) + \sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k)$$
both hold.
Since $q^k < n$ is true by assumption, all of the inequalities
$$\sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n),$$
$$\sigma(q^k)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k,$$
and
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}$$
simultaneously hold. Note further that we also have
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n}=\frac{q^k}{n}I(q^k)<\frac{n}{q^k}I(n)=\frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k}.$$
It follows that
$$\left(\frac{q^k}{n}\right)^2 < \frac{I(n)}{I(q^k)} < 2.$$
Now, note that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{q^k}{n} < \sqrt{2}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} < \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
Taking square roots, we get
$$\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} < \sqrt[4]{2}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}} < \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}}.$$
Subtracting, we obtain
$$\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} - \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}} < \sqrt[4]{2} - \frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}}.$$
Squaring both sides, we now have
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - 2 = \left(\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} - \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}}\right)^2 < \left(\sqrt[4]{2} - \frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}}\right)^2 = \sqrt{2} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - 2,$$
so that
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \sqrt{2} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}.$$
Note the rational approximation
Now, note that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{q^k}{n} < \sqrt{2}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} < \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
Taking square roots, we get
$$\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} < \sqrt[4]{2}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}} < \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}}.$$
Subtracting, we obtain
$$\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} - \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}} < \sqrt[4]{2} - \frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}}.$$
Squaring both sides, we now have
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - 2 = \left(\sqrt{\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}} - \sqrt{\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}}\right)^2 < \left(\sqrt[4]{2} - \frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{2}}\right)^2 = \sqrt{2} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - 2,$$
so that
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \sqrt{2} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}.$$
Note the rational approximation
$$\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132.$$
Now, because of the fact that $\sigma(q^k) \neq n$ (since $\sigma(q^k) \equiv k + 1 \equiv 2 \pmod 4$ and $n$ is odd), we have two further sub-cases to analyze:
Sub-case A-1 $q^k < \sigma(q^k) < n < \sigma(n)$
Under this Sub-case A-1, we have
$$\sigma(q^k)/n < 1 < \sigma(n)/q^k$$
from which we obtain the lower bound
$$I(q^k)I(n) + 1 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k},$$
which we get by considering the negative product
$$\left(\sigma(q^k)/n - 1\right)\left(\sigma(n)/q^k - 1\right).$$
Thus, we have
$$1 + \left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\frac{\ln(4/3)}{\ln(13/9)}} < I(q^k)I(n) + 1 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k}.$$
This validates the (trivial!) inequality
$$\frac{q^k}{n}+\frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{n} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{q^k}.$$
We now compute a lower bound for the quantity
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}+\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}.$$
Note that a trivial lower bound is given by the Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality, as follows:
$$2 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}+\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}$$
since $\sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n)$. Note further that $\sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k) > 1$.
We now attempt to get an improved upper bound for $\sigma(q^k)/\sigma(n)$:
$$\sigma(q^k)/n < 1 < \sigma(q^k)/q^k < 5/4 < (8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} < \sigma(n)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k$$
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}=\frac{\sigma(q^k)/n + \sigma(q^k)/q^k}{\sigma(n)/n + \sigma(n)/q^k} < \frac{1 + (5/4)}{2\cdot{(8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}} = \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867$$
This translates to the improved lower bound
$$\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.283916$$
for $\sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k)$.
From another perspective, since
$$2 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}+\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}$$
and because
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867,$$
then we get
$$\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > 2 - \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.2211.$$
(Notice that, in general, multiplicative estimates are better/tighter than additive estimates.)
Let
$$\theta_1 := \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867.$$
Then
$$\frac{1}{\theta_1} = \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.283916.$$
Note that the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \theta_1\bigg)\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \theta_1\bigg)$$
is negative since $\sigma(q^k)/\sigma(n) < \theta_1 < \sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k)$. In particular, we finally get the (improved) lower bound
$$1 + {\theta_1}^2 < {\theta_1}\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\bigg),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \theta_1 + \frac{1}{\theta_1} \approx 2.062783179.$$
We now try to derive an improved estimate for ${q^k}/n$.
$$\frac{q^k}{n}=\frac{{q^k}/\sigma(q^k) + {q^k}/\sigma(n)}{n/\sigma(q^k) + n/\sigma(n)}<\frac{1+(5/8)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}{1+(1/2)}=\frac{2}{3}\cdot\bigg(1 + \left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}\bigg) \approx 1.1282,$$
which is trivial as compared to $q^k < n$.
Lastly, since we have
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}},$$
and because $n/{q^k} > 1$, we obtain
$$\frac{q^k}{n} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} - 1 = \frac{3\sqrt{2} - 2}{2} \approx 1.12132,$$
which again is trivial in comparison to $q^k < n$. Hence, it appears that it will not be possible to improve on the upper bound
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}$$
using our current method.
Here is a summary of the results that we have obtained for
Sub-case A-1:
$$2 < \frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
$$2.062783179 \approx \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} + \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}.$$
Sub-case A-2 $q^k < n < \sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n)$
Note that a trivial lower bound is given by the Arithmetic Mean-Geometric Mean Inequality, as follows:
$$2 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}+\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}$$
since $\sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n)$. Note further that $\sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k) > 1$.
We now attempt to get an improved upper bound for $\sigma(q^k)/\sigma(n)$:
$$\sigma(q^k)/n < 1 < \sigma(q^k)/q^k < 5/4 < (8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} < \sigma(n)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k$$
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}=\frac{\sigma(q^k)/n + \sigma(q^k)/q^k}{\sigma(n)/n + \sigma(n)/q^k} < \frac{1 + (5/4)}{2\cdot{(8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}} = \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867$$
This translates to the improved lower bound
$$\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.283916$$
for $\sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k)$.
From another perspective, since
$$2 < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}+\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}$$
and because
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} < \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867,$$
then we get
$$\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > 2 - \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.2211.$$
(Notice that, in general, multiplicative estimates are better/tighter than additive estimates.)
Let
$$\theta_1 := \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 0.778867.$$
Then
$$\frac{1}{\theta_1} = \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} \approx 1.283916.$$
Note that the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \theta_1\bigg)\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \theta_1\bigg)$$
is negative since $\sigma(q^k)/\sigma(n) < \theta_1 < \sigma(n)/\sigma(q^k)$. In particular, we finally get the (improved) lower bound
$$1 + {\theta_1}^2 < {\theta_1}\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\bigg),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \theta_1 + \frac{1}{\theta_1} \approx 2.062783179.$$
We now try to derive an improved estimate for ${q^k}/n$.
$$\frac{q^k}{n}=\frac{{q^k}/\sigma(q^k) + {q^k}/\sigma(n)}{n/\sigma(q^k) + n/\sigma(n)}<\frac{1+(5/8)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}{1+(1/2)}=\frac{2}{3}\cdot\bigg(1 + \left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}\bigg) \approx 1.1282,$$
which is trivial as compared to $q^k < n$.
Lastly, since we have
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}},$$
and because $n/{q^k} > 1$, we obtain
$$\frac{q^k}{n} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} - 1 = \frac{3\sqrt{2} - 2}{2} \approx 1.12132,$$
which again is trivial in comparison to $q^k < n$. Hence, it appears that it will not be possible to improve on the upper bound
$$\frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}$$
using our current method.
Here is a summary of the results that we have obtained for
Sub-case A-1:
$$2 < \frac{q^k}{n} + \frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
$$2.062783179 \approx \frac{9}{8}\cdot{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} + \frac{8}{9}\cdot{\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}.$$
Sub-case A-2 $q^k < n < \sigma(q^k) < \sigma(n)$
Note that Sub-case A-2 implies that $k>1$.
Under this Sub-case A-2, we have
$$1 <\sigma(q^k)/n < \sigma(q^k)/q^k < 5/4 < (8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} < \sigma(n)/n < \sigma(n)/q^k < 2,$$
from which we obtain
$$\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1+1}{2+2}<\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}=\frac{\sigma(q^k)/n + \sigma(q^k)/q^k}{\sigma(n)/n + \sigma(n)/q^k}<\frac{(5/4)+(5/4)}{2\cdot{(8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}}=\frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 0.8654.$$
It follows that
$$2 > \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}>\frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 1.1555.$$
Let
$$\theta_2 := \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\theta_2} = \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}.$$
Since the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \theta_2\bigg)\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \theta_2\bigg)$$
is negative, we have
$$1 + {\theta_2}^2 < {\theta_2}\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \theta_2 + \frac{1}{\theta_2} = \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} + \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 2.02093.$$
Similarly, since the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - 2\bigg)\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - 2\bigg)$$
is positive, we obtain
$$1 + 4 > 2\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{5}{2}.$$
This last upper bound is trivial when compared to the earlier bound
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132.$$
Here is a summary of the results that we have obtained for
Sub-case A-2:
$$2 < \frac{q^k}{n}+\frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
$$2.02093 \approx \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} + \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
Case B $n < q^k$
It remains to consider three remaining sub-cases under Case B:
Sub-case B-1 $n < q^k < \sigma(q^k) \leq \sigma(n)$
Sub-case B-2 $n < q^k \leq \sigma(n) < \sigma(q^k)$
Sub-case B-3 $n < \sigma(n) < q^k < \sigma(q^k)$
We remark that work is underway to fill in the gaps in Brown's proof for $q^k < n$. (The interested reader is hereby referred to this preprint for more details.)
THIS POST IS CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS.
from which we obtain
$$\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1+1}{2+2}<\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)}=\frac{\sigma(q^k)/n + \sigma(q^k)/q^k}{\sigma(n)/n + \sigma(n)/q^k}<\frac{(5/4)+(5/4)}{2\cdot{(8/5)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}}}=\frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 0.8654.$$
It follows that
$$2 > \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}>\frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 1.1555.$$
Let
$$\theta_2 := \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{\theta_2} = \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)}.$$
Since the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - \theta_2\bigg)\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - \theta_2\bigg)$$
is negative, we have
$$1 + {\theta_2}^2 < {\theta_2}\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} > \theta_2 + \frac{1}{\theta_2} = \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} + \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} \approx 2.02093.$$
Similarly, since the product
$$\bigg(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} - 2\bigg)\cdot\bigg(\frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} - 2\bigg)$$
is positive, we obtain
$$1 + 4 > 2\cdot\left(\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)}\right),$$
which implies that
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{5}{2}.$$
This last upper bound is trivial when compared to the earlier bound
$$\frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132.$$
Here is a summary of the results that we have obtained for
Sub-case A-2:
$$2 < \frac{q^k}{n}+\frac{n}{q^k} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
$$2.02093 \approx \frac{5}{4}\cdot\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} + \frac{4}{5}\cdot\left(\frac{8}{5}\right)^{\ln(4/3)/\ln(13/9)} < \frac{\sigma(q^k)}{\sigma(n)} + \frac{\sigma(n)}{\sigma(q^k)} < \frac{3}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 2.12132$$
Case B $n < q^k$
It remains to consider three remaining sub-cases under Case B:
Sub-case B-1 $n < q^k < \sigma(q^k) \leq \sigma(n)$
Sub-case B-2 $n < q^k \leq \sigma(n) < \sigma(q^k)$
Sub-case B-3 $n < \sigma(n) < q^k < \sigma(q^k)$
We remark that work is underway to fill in the gaps in Brown's proof for $q^k < n$. (The interested reader is hereby referred to this preprint for more details.)
THIS POST IS CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS.
