The distribution of rational numbers on Cantor's middle thirds set (Q2129353)

One can begin with authors' abstract: ``We give a heuristic argument predicting that the number \(N^\ast(T)\) of rationals \(p/q\) on Cantor's middle thirds set \(\mathcal{C}\) such that \(\mathrm{gcd}(p, q)=1\) and \(q \leq T\), has asymptotic growth \(O(T^{d+\varepsilon})\), for \(d = \dim \mathcal{C}\). Our heuristic is related to similar heuristics and conjectures proposed by Fishman and Simmons. We also describe extensive numerical computations supporting this heuristic. Our heuristic predicts a similar asymptotic if \(\mathcal{C}\) is replaced with any similar fractal with a description in terms of missing digits in a base expansion. Interest in the growth of \(N^\ast(T)\) is motivated by a problem of Mahler on intrinsic Diophantine approximation on \(\mathcal{C}\).'' In the introduction, the main attention is given to some properties of Cantor's middle thirds set which are related with questions in Diophantine approximation, as well as to a certain conjecture. The classical problem and some classical results in Diophantine approximation are described. Problems related to Diophantine approximation and Cantor's middle thirds set are also considered. A conjecture related to the conjecture from the introduction is discussed. Basic notations, observations, and the notion of a lower bound are given. A certain simple probabilistic model is introduced and applied. Proofs are given with explanations.