Application of the recursion theorem

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Let $\langle\phi_{e} \mid e \in \omega\rangle $ be some standard enumeration of partial recursive functions. Show that there is some index $e \in \omega$, such that $f=\phi_{e}$ is a total function and $f^{n}=\phi_{f(n)}$ (where $f^{n}$ denotes composing $f$ with itself $n$-times).

I guess that trying to copy the proof of the recursion theorem the result should follow. Any hint will be appreciated!

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There are probably less silly ways to do this, but:

By the recursion theorem, we can find some $e$ such that $\varphi_e$ is the constant function "$x\mapsto e$." (This is often presented as the first application of the theorem. If you haven't seen this before, do you see how to show this?)

Now take $f=\varphi_e$. We have $f^n=f$ and $\varphi_{f(n)}\cong\varphi_e\cong f$ for all $n$.


Actually, strictly speaking the above doesn't work when we take $n=0$: $f^0$ should be defined as the identity, regardless of what $f$ is. To remedy this, we ask instead for an index $e$ such that

  • $\varphi_e(0)$ is an index for the identity function, and

  • $\varphi_e(n+1)=e$.

Take $f=\varphi_e$; we now get $f^0=id=\varphi_{f(0)}$, $f^{n+1}: x\mapsto e$, and $\varphi_{f(n+1)}: x\mapsto e$ as desired.