A game with divisors and absolute differences of exponents

Abstract

In this work, we discuss a number game that develops in a manner similar to that on which Gilbreath's conjecture on iterated absolute differences between consecutive primes is formulated. In our case the action occurs at the exponent level and there, the evolution is reminiscent of that in a final Ducci game. We present features of the whole field of the game created by the successive generations, prove an analog of Gilbreath's conjecture, and raise some open questions.