On the variance of sums of divisor functions in short intervals

Abstract

Given a positive integer $n$ the $k$-fold divisor function $d_k(n)$ equals the number of ordered $k$-tuples of positive integers whose product equals $n$. In this article we study the variance of sums of $d_k(n)$ in short intervals and establish asymptotic formulas for the variance of sums of $d_k(n)$ in short intervals of certain lengths for $k=3$ and for $k \ge 4$ under the assumption of the Lindel\"of hypothesis.