English

Irreducible polynomials in F_q[x] versus 1 - qz in C[z]

Number Theory 2007-05-23 v3

Abstract

Let q be a prime power and N_n count degree-n monic irreducible polynomials in F_q[x]. We show that prod_{n=1}^{\infty} (1 -z^n)^N_n = 1 - qz for small |z|.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0612614,
  title  = {Irreducible polynomials in F_q[x] versus 1 - qz in C[z]},
  author = {Barry Brent},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0612614},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

2 pages. v.1 replaced because the proof of absolute convergence was valid only on reals. (It used l'Hopital.) Sadder news: "...you've simply rediscovered the Weil conjectures for P^1. ..." (email from Kevin Buzzard)