On a distribution property of the residual order of \(a \pmod p\). III (Q2501656)

The authors consider the multiplicative order of \(a \pmod p\), \(D_a(p)\), and are interested in the set of primes \(p\) such that \(D_a(p)\equiv j \pmod{q^i}\) with \(q\) a prime and \(i\geq 1\) an arbitrary integer. The work presented is a continuation of [\textit{K. Chinen} and \textit{L. Murata}, J. Number Theory 105, No. 1, 60--81 (2004; Zbl 1045.11066) and J. Number Theory 105, No. 1, 82--100 (2004; Zbl 1045.11067)] (where the case \(q^i=4\) was considered) and the present results were announced in [\textit{K. Chinen} and \textit{L. Murata}, Proc. Japan Acad., Ser. A Math. Sci. 80, No. 9, 182--186 (2004; Zbl 1073.11062)]. Under the assumption that \(a\geq 2\) is not of the form \(a_0^h\) with \(a_0\) an integer and \(h\geq 2\) they announce, under GRH (the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis), various interesting results. (For the rest of the review I assume the truth of GRH.) They prove that the latter set has a density \(\Delta_a(q^i,j)\). Moreover, one has \(\Delta_a(q^i,j)=\Delta_a(q^{i-1},j)/q\) if \(q\) is an odd prime and \(i\geq 2\). They also give an explicit expression for \(\Delta_a(q,j)\) in case \(q\) is odd. These results have been established independently and in greater generality by the reviewer [J. Number Theory 117, No. 2, 330--354 (2006; Zbl 1099.11053)]. A survey of the main results obtained by the reviewer in this area can be found in [Electron. Res. Announc. Am. Math. Soc. 12, 121--128 (2006; Zbl 1186.11061)]. The authors express the density \(\Delta_a(q^i,j)\) as a fivefold sum which they then evaluate further; the reviewer, however, expressed it as a twofold sum. Nevertheless, both approaches are rather technical and involve computing Galois theoretic intersection coefficients.