I. Throughout this paper k1, …, k3 will denote s ≥ I fixed distinct positive integers. Some years ago Pillai (1936) found an asymptotic formula, with error term O(x/log x), for the number of positive integers n ≤ x such that n + k1, …, n + k3 are all square-free. I recently considered (Mirsky, 1947) the corresponding problem for r-free integers (i.e. integers not divisible by the rth power of any prime), and was able, in particular, to reduce the error term in Pillai's formula.

Our present object is to discuss various generalizations and extensions of Pillai's problem. In all investigations below we shall be concerned with a set A of integers. This is any given, finite or infinite, set of integers greater than 1 and subject to certain additional restrictions which will be stated later. The elements of A will be called a-numbers, and the letter a will be reserved for them. A number which is not divisible by any a-number will be called A-free, and our main concern will be with the study of A-free numbers. Their additive properties have recently been investigated elsewhere (Mirsky, 1948), and some estimates obtained in that investigation will be quoted in the present paper.