Generalized divisor functions in arithmetic progressions: I. (Q2039510)

Let \(n\geqslant1\), \(k\geqslant 1\) be integers, and let \(\tau_k\) denote the \(k\)-fold divisor function, i.e. \[ \tau_k(n)=\sum_{n_1n_2\cdots n_k=\,n}1, \] where the sum runs over ordered \(k\)-tuples \((n_1, n_2,\dots, n_k)\) of positive integers for which \(n_1n_2\cdots n_k = n\). The author of the paper under review proves the following theorem on distribution of function \(\tau_k\). Let \(w=1/1168\), \(\theta_k=\min\{1/(12(k+2)),w^2\}\) and \[ \mathcal{D}=\bigg\{d\geqslant 1, (d,a)=1, |\mu(d)|=1, \Big(d,\hspace{-2mm} \prod_{p\,<\,X^{w^2}}\Big)<X^w, \Big(d,\hspace{-1mm}\prod_{\ p\,<\,X^{w}}\Big)>X^{71/584}\bigg\} \] where \(a\neq 0\) and \(\mu\) is the Miobius function. Then for each \(k\geqslant 4\) it holds that \[ \sum_{\substack{d\in\mathcal{D}\\ d<X^{293/584}}}\bigg{|}\sum_{\substack{n\leqslant X \\ n\equiv a\bmod d}}\tau_k(n)-\frac{1}{\varphi(d)}\sum_{\substack{n\leqslant X \\ (n,d)=1}}\tau_k(n)\bigg{|}\ll X^{1-\theta_k}, \] where \(\varphi\) is the Euler's totient function, and the implied constant is effective, and depends at most on \(a\) and \(k\). In addition, the author presents a number of conclusions from the main result and examines the influence of the \textit{Generalized Riemann Hypothesis} and the \textit{Generalized Lindelöf Hypothesis} on the main result.