The unitary analogue of Pillai's arithmetical function (Q923601)

Let \((k,n)\) denote the g.c.d. of the positive integers \(k\) and \(n\). Pillai's arithmetical function is \(P(n)=\sum^n_{k=1}(k,n)\). In this paper the unitary analogue of \(P(n)\) is considered, namely \(P^*(n)=\sum^n_{k=1}(k,n)_*\), where \((k,n)_*\) represents the greatest divisor of \(k\) which is a unitary divisor of \(n\). Here, by a unitary divisor \(d\) of \(n\) is meant a divisor which satisfies \((d,n/d)=1\). The author obtains an asymptotic estimate for \(\sum_{n\leq x} P^*(n)\) which is analogous to a well-known estimate for \(\sum_{n\leq x}P(n)\). Here also the more general function \(P^*_r(n)=\sum^n_{k=1}(k,n)^r_*\) is studied.