A generalization of the Gauss-Kuzmin-Wirsing constant (Q2665284)

Let \(p\) be a positive integer. The present paper deals with the generalized Gauss transformation \(T_p(x)\) on \( [0, 1]\). That is, \(T_p(x)=\left\{\frac p x\right\}\) whenever \(x\ne 0\) and \(T_p(x)=0\) whenever \(x= 0\), where \(\{a\}\) is the fractional part of a number \(a\). It is noted that such transformations are related to \(p\)-continued fractions (\(N\)-continued fractions). A brief survey of this paper is devoted to these continued fractions, to the Gauss-Kuzmin-Wirsing operator, and to the Gauss-Kuzmin problem. Special attention is given to the Gauss-Kuzmin-Wirsing constant \(\lambda\) and to a certain Wirsing's result ([\textit{E. Wirsing}, Acta Arith. 24, 507--528 (1974; Zbl 0283.10032)]) which is generalized in the present paper. A near-optimal estimate for the generalized Gauss-Kuzmin-Wirsing constant \(\lambda_p\) is obtained.