On the number of integers in a generalized multiplication table

Abstract: Motivated by the Erdos multiplication table problem we study the following question: Given numbers N_1,...,N_{k+1}, how many distinct products of the form n_1...n_{k+1} with n_i<N_i for all i are there? Call A_{k+1}(N_1,...,N_{k+1}) the quantity in question. Ford established the order of magnitude of A_2(N_1,N_2) and the author of A_{k+1}(N,...,N) for all k\>1. In the present paper we generalize these results by establishing the order of magnitude of A_{k+1}(N_1,...,N_{k+1}) for arbitrary choices of N_1,...,N_{k+1} when k is 2,3,4 or 5. Moreover, we obtain a partial answer to our question when k>5. Lastly, we develop a heuristic argument which explains why the limitation of our method is k=5 in general and we suggest ways of improving the results of this paper.