On the least common multiple of several random integers

Abstract

Let $L_n(k)$ denote the least common multiple of $k$ independent random integers uniformly chosen in $\{1,2,\ldots ,n\}$. In this note, using a purely probabilistic approach, we derive a criterion for the convergence in distribution as $n\to\infty$ of $\frac{f(L_n(k))}{n^{rk}}$ for a wide class of multiplicative arithmetic functions~$f$ with polynomial growth $r>-1$. Furthermore, we identify the limit as an infinite product of independent random variables indexed by prime numbers. Along the way, we compute the generating function of a trimmed sum of independent geometric laws, occurring in the above infinite product. This generating function is rational; we relate it to the generating function of a certain max-type Diophantine equation, of which we solve a generalized version. Our results extend theorems by Erdős and Wintner (1939), Fernández and Fernández (2013) and Hilberdink and Tóth (2016).