English

On the asymptotic behavior of Dedekind sums

Number Theory 2014-03-17 v3

Abstract

Let zz be a real quadratic irrational. We compare the asymptotic behavior of Dedekind sums S(pk,qk)S(p_k,q_k) belonging to convergents pk/qkp_k/q_k of the {\em regular} continued fraction expansion of zz with that of Dedekind sums S(sj/tj)S(s_j/t_j) belonging to convergents sj/tjs_j/t_j of the {\em negative regular} continued fraction expansion of zz. Whereas the three main cases of this behavior are closely related, a more detailed study of the most interesting case (in which the Dedekind sums remain bounded) exhibits some marked differences, since the cluster points depend on the respective periods of these expansions. We show in which cases cluster points of S(sj,tj)S(s_j,t_j) can coincide with cluster points of S(pk,qk)S(p_k,q_k). An important tool for our purpose is a criterion that says which convergents sj/tjs_j/t_j of zz are convergents pk/qkp_k/q_k.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1402.5231,
  title  = {On the asymptotic behavior of Dedekind sums},
  author = {Kurt Girstmair},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1402.5231},
  year   = {2014}
}

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8 pages