A mean value theorem on differences of two \(k\)-th powers of numbers in residue classes (Q1176276): Difference between revisions

Let \(k,x\in\mathbb{R}\) with \(k>2\) and \(x>0\) a large parameter, \(\ell_1, \ell_2, m\in\mathbb{Z}\) with \(m\geq1\), \(0\leq\ell_1,\ell_2<m\). In generalization of a now classical result due to \textit{E. Krätzel} [Acta Arith. 16, 111--121 (1969; Zbl 0201.05003)] concerning the ``unrestricted'' problem mentioned in the title, the author studies the lattice point problem \[ T_k(\ell_1 ,\ell_2,m;x):= \#\{(u_1,u_2)\in\mathbb{N}_ 0^ 2: 0<u^k_1-u^k_2\leq x, \ u_i\equiv \ell_i\pmod m,\ i=1,2\}. \] Moreover, define \(x_m:=x/m^k\). For \(x\to\infty\) it is proved that \[ T_k(\ell_1,\ell_2,m;x) = C_1x_m^{2/k}+C_2x_m^{1/(k-1)}+C_3x_m^{1/k}+\Delta_k(\ell_1,\ell_2,m;x), \] \[ \Delta_k(\ell1,\ell_2,m;x) = F_k(\ell_ 1,m;x)x_m^{(k-1)/k^ 2}+O_k(x_m^{7/(11k)}( \log(2xm))^{45/22}) \tag{*} \] with explicitly given constants \(C_1, C_2,C_3\) depending on \(k,\ell_1,\ell_2,m\) and an absolute convergent sine-series \(F_k(\;)\), which is also \(\Omega(1)\). For \(k>11/4\) the first term in (*) majorizes the \(O\)-term, thus the exact order of the ``lattice rest'' is known in this case. The proof involves the application of the so-called ``Discrete Hardy-Littlewood method'' due to \textit{M. N. Huxley} et al., e.g. [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 60, 471--502 (1990; Zbl 0659.10057)] in concert with the latest refinement given by \textit{W. Müller} and \textit{W. G. Nowak} [Lect. Notes Math. 1452, 139--164 (1990; Zbl 0715.11054)]. Note that \(\Delta_k(\;)\) is of the same order as in the unrestricted case, which was demonstrated by the last mentioned authors [loc. cit., Corollary 4, 147--148]. Reviewer's remark: It seems very likely, that one has to add the condition \(m\leq x^{1/k}\) in part (i) of the theorem.