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The prime factorization of $N!$ gives $\log N!={\sum }_{p^j\le N}\lfloor N/p^j\rfloor \log p$. The Chebyshev estimate bounds the error on replacing each floor by its argument by $O(N)$. Dividing by $N$ and using the Stirling formula gives ${\sum }_{p^j\le N}(\log p)/p^j=\log N+O(1)$. The contribution of $j\ge 2$ is bounded by the convergent series ${\sum }_{n\ge 2}(\log n)/(n(n-1))$. This proves the Mertens first theorem without the Prime number theorem.

Write $\theta (x)={\sum }_{p\le x}\log p$ for the Chebyshev theta function and $\psi (x)={\sum }_{n\le x}\Lambda (n)$ for the Second Chebyshev function, where $\Lambda$ is the Von Mangoldt function. We first establish the Chebyshev estimate. Every prime $n<p\le 2n$ divides the central binomial coefficient $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{2n}{n}\right)$, soApply this at successive powers of two and use monotonicity to obtain $\theta (x)=O(x)$. Sincethe terms $r\ge 2$ contribute $O(\sqrt{x}\log x)$ and therefore $\psi (x)=O(x)$. This Chebyshev estimate from central binomial coefficients is all the information about the distribution of primes needed here.

The Von Mangoldt divisor identity $\log n={\sum }_{d\mid n}\Lambda (d)$ gives the factorial proof of Mertens first theorem. With $N=\lfloor x\rfloor$, interchange the finite sums to obtainComparison of ${\sum }_{n\le N}\log n$ with ${\int }_1^N\log tdt$ gives $\log N!=N\log N-N+O(\log N)$. Dividing the preceding identity by $x$, using $N=x+O(1)$ and the Chebyshev estimate, givesThe contribution of higher prime powers is bounded independently of $x$, becauseThus the Mertens first theorem is

For the square-root logarithmic sum over primes, apply partial summation to $A(t)$ with weight $(\log t{)}^{-1/2}$. The lower endpoint is understood as $A(2^{-})=0$, soThe main terms are $\sqrt{\log x}$ and $\sqrt{\log x}-\sqrt{\log 2}$. The bounded error in $A(t)$ produces a bounded integral, since ${\int }_2^{\infty }dt/(t(\log t{)}^{3/2})<\infty$. ThereforeNeither argument uses the Prime number theorem.

First alternative. The Euler product of the Riemann zeta function is absolutely convergent for $\sigma >1$. Its logarithm and the nonnegative trigonometric polynomialgiveConsequently $\zeta (\sigma {)}^3|\zeta (\sigma +it){|}^4|\zeta (\sigma +2it)|\ge 1$. Suppose $t\ne 0$ and the Riemann zeta function had a zero of order $m\ge 1$ at $1+it$. As $\sigma \downarrow 1$, its simple pole at one gives $\zeta (\sigma )=O((\sigma -1{)}^{-1})$, the alleged zero gives $\zeta (\sigma +it)=O((\sigma -1{)}^m)$, and $\zeta (\sigma +2it)$ remains bounded. The product would be $O((\sigma -1{)}^{4m-3})\to 0$, contradicting its lower bound. Thus there are no zeta zeros on $\Re s=1$; the point $s=1$ itself is a pole, not a zero.

For the first integral of the Chebyshev function, defineThe logarithmic derivative identity $-{\zeta }^{\prime }/\zeta (s)={\sum }_n\Lambda (n)n^{-s}$, valid for $\Re s>1$, leads toTo verify the kernel rather than assume an inversion formula, integrate $y^s/(s(s+1))$ on the vertical line $\Re s=c$. Closing to the left when $y>1$ gives the residues at zero and minus one, namely $1-y^{-1}$; closing to the right when $0<y<1$ gives zero. At $y=1$ the integral is zero as well. The horizontal integrals tend to zero because of the quadratic denominator, and the distant vertical integrals vanish in the indicated direction. Multiplying this kernel by $x$ with $y=x/n$ gives $(x-n{)}^{+}$. The absolute convergence of the Dirichlet series on $\Re s=c$, together with the integrable denominator, permits interchange with the integral and proves the formula.

Here is a quantitative contour route from this relation to the Prime number theorem. Question 3 establishes a zero-free region of the Riemann zeta function and the accompanying bounds for its logarithmic derivative, independently of the Prime number theorem. In a sufficiently narrow half-width region they implyon the left and horizontal sides of the rectangle with heights $\pm T$ and left edge ${\sigma }_L=1-b/(2\log (T+3))$, after making $b>0$ small enough also for bounded heights. The explanation of this bound is included at the end of Question 3. Take $c=1+1/\log x$ and $T=\exp (\sqrt{\log x})$. On the original line, the omitted tails aresince the Euler product bounds $|{\zeta }^{\prime }/\zeta (c+it)|$ by $-{\zeta }^{\prime }/\zeta (c)=O(\log x)$. Shift the truncated integral to the left edge. The only enclosed pole is at $s=1$, with residue $x^2/2$; the kernel poles at zero and minus one lie outside the rectangle. The left edge contributes $O(x^{2-b/(2\log (T+3))}{\log }^2(T+3))$, since $|s(s+1){|}^{-1}\ll (1+t^2{)}^{-1}$ there. The two horizontal edges contribute $O(x^2{\log }^2(T+3)/T^2)$. In particular, for some $a>0$,

It remains to remove the smoothing; differentiating an asymptotic formula would not justify this step. The monotonicity of the Second Chebyshev function gives, for $h=\epsilon x$ with $0<\epsilon <1$,First let $x\to \infty$ with $\epsilon$ fixed. After division by $x$, the lower and upper bounds tend to $1-\epsilon /2$ and $1+\epsilon /2$. Let $\epsilon \downarrow 0$ to obtain $\psi (x)\sim x$. Higher prime powers contribute $O(\sqrt{x}\log x)$ by the Chebyshev estimate, so $\theta (x)\sim x$. Finally partial summation givesThe integral is $O(x/{\log }^{2}x)$, by splitting at $\sqrt{x}$ and using $\theta (t)=O(t)$. This proves the Prime number theorem with $\pi (x)\sim x/\log x$.

Second alternative. We prove the functional equation of the Riemann zeta function from a theta function. Set $\Theta (u)={\sum }_{n\in \mathbb{Z}}{e}^{-\pi n^{2}u}$ for $u>0$. With Fourier transform convention $\hat{f}(\xi )={\int }_{\mathbb{R}}f(v)e^{-2\pi iv\xi }dv$, the Gaussian function $f(v)=e^{-\pi u{v}^2}$ hasIndeed, differentiation under the integral and integration by parts give ${\hat{f}}^{\prime }(\xi )=-2\pi \xi \hat{f}(\xi )/u$, while the Gaussian integral gives $\hat{f}(0)=u^{-1/2}$. Periodize $f$: the smooth period-one function ${\sum }_{n}f(v+n)$ has Fourier coefficients $\hat{f}(k)$, by integrating on $[0,1]$ and interchanging its absolutely convergent sum with the integral. Its absolutely convergent Fourier series, evaluated at zero, proves the Poisson summation formula in this case. HenceFor $\Re s>1$, termwise integration and the defining integral of the Gamma function give the Mellin representation of the completed Riemann zeta function:Split at one and substitute $u=1/v$ in the lower integral. The elementary part isand the remaining part becomes an integral over $[1,\infty )$. ThusThe integral is an entire function of $s$, because $\Theta (u)-1$ decays exponentially and uniform convergence holds on every compact subset of the complex plane. This proves meromorphic continuation of the completed Riemann zeta function, with only the displayed simple poles, and the right side is invariant under $s\mapsto 1-s$. ThereforeThe Gamma reflection formula and Gamma duplication formula give the equivalent form $\zeta (s)=2^s{\pi }^{s-1}\sin (\pi s/2)\Gamma (1-s)\zeta (1-s)$, understood by meromorphic continuation. Multiplication by $s(s-1)/2$ gives the entire Riemann xi function $\xi (s)=\xi (1-s)$.

Let $N(T)$ count positive ordinates of Nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function up to height $T$, including multiplicity. The Riemann–von Mangoldt formula isMore precisely, away from ordinates of zeros, the constant term is $7/8$, the additional term is $S(T)={\pi }^{-1}\arg \zeta (1/2+iT)$, and the remaining error is $O(T^{-1})$. Here the argument is continued along $2\to 2+iT\to 1/2+iT$, and $S(T)=O(\log T)$. The coarse formula displayed above holds at all large heights with the usual right-continuous counting convention. Subtract it at $T+1$ and $T$: the main term changes by $O(\log T)$ and each error is $O(\log T)$. Hence

For infinitely many reciprocal-logarithmic gaps between zeta zeros, fix any $0<c<2\pi$, for example $c=\pi$. Suppose all sufficiently late gaps satisfied ${\gamma }_{n+1}-{\gamma }_n\le c/\log n$. Summing and usinggives ${\gamma }_n\le (c+o(1))n/\log n$. The last elementary estimate follows by integral comparison with $1/\log t$ and one integration by parts. The Riemann–von Mangoldt formula would implya contradiction. This reasoning is valid whether repeated ordinates are listed according to multiplicity or only distinct ordinates are listed, since in either case $n\le N({\gamma }_n)$. Consequently ${\gamma }_{n+1}-{\gamma }_n>c/\log n$ infinitely often, for any fixed $0<c<2\pi$.

Use the Chebyshev estimate from central binomial coefficients. DefineThe first is the Chebyshev theta function; the second counts prime powers with the same logarithmic prime weight. For a positive integer $m$, every prime $m<p\le 2m$ divides $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{2m}{m}\right)$, henceSumming over dyadic intervals yields $\vartheta (2^j)\le 2^{j+1}\log 2$. By monotonicity and rounding $x$ upward to a power of two,

For the lower bound, the central binomial coefficient is the largest of the $2m+1$ coefficients whose sum is $4^m$, soThe exponent of a prime in the central coefficient isEach summand is zero or one. Therefore $\log \left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{2m}{m}\right)\le \psi (2m)$. Higher prime powers contribute onlyCombining the lower bound with $2m$ just below $x$ shows $\vartheta (x)\ge cx$ for sufficiently large $x$, with, for example, $c=(\log 2)/2$.

Let $\pi (x)$ denote the number of primes at most $x$. Since every prime weight is at most $\log x$,For the upper bound, separate the primes at $\sqrt{x}$. The small ones number at most $\sqrt{x}$, and every larger one has weight at least $(\log x)/2$, givingSince $\sqrt{x}=o(x/\log x)$, this provesfor all sufficiently large $n$, for instance with $A=(\log 2)/2$ and $B=8\log 2+1$. This elementary Chebyshev estimate does not assume the Prime number theorem.

For a fixed prime $p\in [P,2P]$, the grid $a/p$ has circular spacing $1/p\ge 1/(2P)$. Consequently an arc of length $\Delta =1/P$ contains at most three points of this grid, including endpoints. The standard Chebyshev estimate $\pi (t)\ll t/\log t$ for the prime-counting function givesSince $N\le P$, the local-multiplicity large sieve yields the prime-denominator large sieve:By contrast, distinct reduced fractions with denominators at most $2P$ have circular distance at least $1/(4P^2)$: their difference, even after subtraction of an integer, has a nonzero integer numerator over denominator $pp\prime$. Applying part (a) alone gives only $(4P^2+2\pi N)E\ll P^{2}E$. The local-multiplicity argument saves a factor of $\log P$.

Write $f(n)=3^{\omega (n)}$, where $\omega$ is the prime omega function. If $p^a\Vert n$, its contribution to the Dirichlet convolution $(f\ast \Lambda )(n)$ isSince $3(a-1+1/3)\ge a$, summing over the prime factors proves the log-weighted convolution bound for three to the prime omega, $f(n)\log n\le 3(f\ast \Lambda )(n)$. On $\sqrt{D}\le n\le D$, $\log n\ge \frac{1}{2}\log D$, henceThis is the required inequality. The standard Chebyshev estimate $\psi (t)\ll t$ bounds its right side by $D(\log D{)}^{-1}{\sum }_{m\le D}f(m)/m$. To bound the latter sum, use multiplicativity and extend to all numbers with prime factors at most $D$:The Mertens second theorem states ${\sum }_{p\le D}1/p=\log \log D+O(1)$. Taking logarithms of the product, with a summable $O(p^{-2})$ remainder, gives $3\log \log D+O(1)$. Therefore the product is $O({\log }^{3}D)$, proving the summatory bound for three to the prime omega in the required range:

The Von Mangoldt divisor identity givesBy the Stirling formula, the left side is $\log (\lfloor x\rfloor !)=x\log x-x+O(\log x)$, while the assumed Chebyshev estimate gives $\psi (x)=O(x)$. HenceThe contribution of proper prime powers is bounded uniformly:Removing it leaves

When $N\le P$,An arc of length $1/P$ contains at most three points of each grid of denominator $p\le 2P$. The Chebyshev estimate gives $O(P/\log P)$ such primes. Apply the local-multiplicity large sieve. Using only the separation of distinct reduced fractions gives the weaker $O(P^2)\sum |a_n{|}^2$.

The elementary Selberg symmetry formula can be writtenUse the weights ${\lambda }_d=\mu (d)\log (x/d)/\log x$. Their divisor sum is $1_{n=1}+\Lambda (n)/\log x$. Apply them to the integrated Chebyshev sum, then use the Möbius harmonic logarithmic moments. The Chebyshev estimate shows this is equivalent, with an $O(x)$ error, to ${\sum }_{n\le x}\Lambda (n)\log n+{\sum }_{mn\le x}\Lambda (m)\Lambda (n)=2x\log x+O(x)$.

The Euler product and Mertens second theorem give ${\sum }_{n\le D}{3}^{\omega (n)}/n\ll {\log }^{3}D$. The log-weighted convolution bound for three to the prime omega, with the Chebyshev estimate $\psi (y)\ll y$, then gives ${\sum }_{\sqrt{D}\le n\le D}{3}^{\omega (n)}\ll D{\log }^{2}D$. A direct bound for the full range follows from $3^{\omega (n)}\le {\tau }_3(n)$, where ${\tau }_3(n)=\#\{(a,b,c):abc=n\}$: