On the index of fractions with square-free denominators in arithmetic progressions (Q943991)

Let \(Q\) be a positive integer and \(1/Q=\gamma_1<\gamma_2<\dots<\gamma_{N_Q}=1\) be the Farey sequence of order \(Q\), where \(N(Q)=\varphi(1)+\dots+\varphi(Q)\). For any three consecutive Farey fractions \(\gamma_{i-1}=a/r\), \(\gamma_i=b/s\), \(\gamma_{i+1}=c/t\), the ratio \[ \nu(\gamma_i):=\frac{r+t}{s}=\frac{a+c}{b} \] is an integer, called the index of the Farey fraction \(\gamma_i\). This index was introduced and studied by \textit{R. R. Hall} and \textit{P. Shiu} [Mich. Math. J. 51, No. 1, 209--223 (2003; Zbl 1038.11062)]. They also introduced the notion of deficiency \(\delta(s)\), which they defined as the total number of Farey fractions of order \(Q\) with denominator \(s\) and index \([2Q/s]-1\). In the present paper, asymptotic formulas (as \(Q\rightarrow\infty\)) for the first and second moments of the index of Farey fractions of order \(Q\) with square-free denominators in a given arithmetic progression are established. Moreover, the asymptotic behaviour of the deficiency is considered. Starting point of the method is an exact formula of Hall and Shiu for the sum of the indices of all Farey fractions of order \(Q\) with a given denominator.