On Some Asymptotic Formulæ of Ramanujan (Q4545936)

Let as usual \(\sigma_a(n) = \sum_{d|n}d^a\). The main object of this paper is to obtain asymptotic estimates for the sum \(\sum_{n\leq x}\sigma^r_{-a}(n)\) for \(r\geq 2, r\in\mathbb N\) and \(0<a<1\). A nice historical discussion of this problem, going as far back to S. Ramanujan, is given in the Introduction. The paper brings forth three theorems, of which for brevity only the first is quoted: there are constants \(B_i\) depending on \(a\), such that \[ \sum_{n\leq x}\sigma^2_{-a}(n) = B_1x + x^{1-a}(B_2\log x + B_3) + E_2(x,a), \] where \[ E_2(x,a) = B_4x^{1-2a} + O(x^{1/2-2a/3}\log^5x)\qquad(0<a \leq 3/8) \] and \[ E_2(x,a) = O(x^{(2-2a)/5}\log^{(12a-2)/(7a-2)}x)\qquad(3/8<a \leq 1). \] The method of proof consists of transforming the problem into a weighted multidimensional problem involving the function \(\psi(x) = x - [x] - {1\over 2}\). After that, estimates for the ensuing exponential sums are used (see the second author's paper in Monatsh. Math. 126, 353-367 (1998; Zbl 0917.11044) and his paper with \textit{G. Bhowmik} in Arch. Math. 69, 95-104 (1997; Zbl 0907.11030)).