Numbers with fixed sum of digits in linear recurrent number systems

Abstract

We study the set of integers with a given sum of digits with respect to a linear recurrent digit system. An asymptotic formula for the number of integers ≤N with given sum of digits is determined, and the distribution in residue classes is investigated, thus generalizing results due to Mauduit and Sarkozy. It turns out that numbers with fixed sum of digits are uniformly distributed in residue classes under some very general conditions. Namely, the underlying linear recurring sequence must have the property that there is no prime factor P of the modulus such that all but finitely many members of the sequence leave the same residue modulo P. The key step in the proof is an estimate for exponential sums using known theorems from Diophantine approximation.