On a problem of Arnold: the average multiplicative order of a given integer

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Abstract: For g,n coprime integers, let l_g(n) denote the multiplicative order of g modulo n. Motivated by a conjecture of Arnold, we study the average of l_g(n) as n <= x ranges over integers coprime to g, and x tending to infinity. Assuming the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, we show that this average is essentially as large as the average of the Carmichael lambda function. We also determine the asymptotics of the average of l_g(p) as p <= x ranges over primes.


For coprime integers \(g\) and \(n\), let \(l_g(n)\) denote the multiplicative order of \(g\) modulo \(n\), that is, the smallest integer \(k\geq 1\) such that \(g^k\equiv 1(\text{mod~}n)\). The Carmichael function \(\lambda(n)\) is the exponent of the group of invertible residue classes modulo \(n\). We have \(l_g(n)|\lambda(n)\). Let \(T_g(x)\) be the average of \(l_g(n)\) as \(n\leq x\) ranges over integers coprime to \(g\). \textit{V. Arnold} [J. Math. Fluid Mech. 7, Suppl. 1, S4--S50 (2005; Zbl 1134.11344)] conjectured that if \(|g|>1\), then \(T_g(x)\sim c(g)x/\log x\) as \(x\) tends to infinity and with \(c(g)>0\) some constant. Assuming GRH, this conjecture was disproved by \textit{I. E. Shparlinski} [Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 17, No. 4, 901--917 (2007; Zbl 1127.11052)].NEWLINENEWLINE In the present paper, also assuming GRH, the true asymptotic behaviour of \(T_g(x)\) is determined (sharpening the work of Shparlinski) and it is shown that it is the same as that of \(x^{-1}\sum_{n\leq x}\lambda(n)\). Since the main contribution to average of \(\lambda(n)\) comes from a density-zero subset of the integers, the authors have to show that \(l_g(n)\) is large for many \(n\) for which \(\lambda(n)\) is large.NEWLINENEWLINE A second main theorem, also assuming GRH, gives the asymptotics of the ratio NEWLINE\[NEWLINE\sum_{p\leq x}l_g(p)/\sum_{p\leq x}1,NEWLINE\]NEWLINE where the sums are over the primes \(p\leq x\). The latter ratio is asymptotically equal to \(x\) times a complicated constant that equals a rational number depending on \(g\) times the universal constant NEWLINE\[NEWLINES:=\prod_p\big(1-{p\over p^3-1}\big)=0.57595996889\ldotsNEWLINE\]NEWLINE where the product is over all primes \(p\). A weaker result in this direction had already been obtained by \textit{P. J. Stephens} [J. Number Theory 8, 313--332 (1976; Zbl 0334.10018]. The reviewer and \textit{P. Stevenhagen} [J. Number Theory 85, No. 2, 291--304 (2000; Zbl 0966.11042)] provided some corrections to the results of Stephens.











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