Asymptotics of $D(q)$-pairs and triples via $L$-functions of Dirichlet charaters

Abstract

Let $q$ be an integer. A $D(q)$-$m$-tuple is a set of $m$ distinct positive integers ${a_1, a_2, . . . , a_m}$ such that $a_ia_j + q$ is a perfect square for all $1 \leq i < j \leq m$. By counting integer solutions $x \in [1, b]$ of congruences $x^2 \equiv q (\mod b)$ with $b \leq N$, we count $D(q)$-pairs with both elements up to $N$, and give estimates on asymptotic behaviour. We show that for prime $q$, the number of such $D(q)$-pairs and $D(q)$-triples grows linearly with $N$. Up to a factor of $2$, the slope of this linear function is the quotient of the value of the $L$-function of an appropriate Dirichlet character (usually a Kronecker symbol) and of $\zeta(2)$.