English

On the derivative of the Minkowski question mark function $?(x)$

Number Theory 2007-12-17 v2

Abstract

Let x=[0;a1,a2,...] x = [0;a_1,a_2,...] be the decomposition of the irrational number x[0,1]x \in [0,1] into regular continued fraction. Then for the derivative of the Minkowski function ?(x)?(x) we prove that ?(x)=+?'(x) = +\infty provided lim supta1+...+att<κ1=2logλ1log2=1.388+ \limsup_{t\to \infty}\frac{a_1+...+a_t}{t} <\kappa_1 =\frac{2\log \lambda_1}{\log 2} = 1.388^+, and ?(x)=0?'(x) = 0 provided lim infta1+...+att>κ2=4L55L4L5L4=4.401+ \liminf_{t\to \infty}\frac{a_1+...+a_t}{t} >\kappa_2 = \frac{4L_5-5L_4}{L_5-L_4}= 4.401^+ (here Lj=log(j+j2+42)jlog22 L_j = \log (\frac{j+\sqrt{j^2+4}}{2}) - j\cdot\frac{\log 2}{2}). Constants κ1,κ2\kappa_1,\kappa_2 are the best possible. Also we prove that ?(x)=+?'(x) = +\infty holds for all xx with partial quotients bounded by 4.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0706.2219,
  title  = {On the derivative of the Minkowski question mark function $?(x)$},
  author = {Anna A. Dushistova and Nikolai G. Moshchevitin},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0706.2219},
  year   = {2007}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T08:38:42.737Z