math.NT — Number Theory
Nonconstant Congruence Speeds of Integer Tetration in Non-Squarefree Radices
We further develop the theory of congruence speed for integer tetration in non-squarefree numeral systems, building on Appendix B of [M. Ripà and G. Di Pietro (2026), A compact notation for peculiar properties characterizing integer tetration, Notes on Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics, 32(3), 477–496]. For bases coprime to the radix, we establish an eventual floor-difference representation and determine the exact spectrum of attainable least periods. We construct explicit arithmetic progressions containing infinitely many prime bases with nonconstant congruence speed for every non-squarefree radix, thereby proving the coprime-infinitude conjecture posed in Appendix B. We also derive a uniform quadratic bound for the least coprime base with nonconstant congruence speed and establish exact natural densities of nonstabilizing bases, both among integers coprime to the radix and among those not divisible by its radical, together with the corresponding relative density among primes. Finally, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the perfect-power congruence-speed identity (Equation (2.12) of the cited paper) to hold in arbitrary radices, determine the exact least eventual period when stabilization fails, and establish a separate criterion for the boundary case of the original parameter restriction.