English

Two Geometric Interpretations of Hardy Sums

Number Theory 2022-06-08 v2

Abstract

The problem of finding the number of lattice points in a triangle has a classical solution if the lattice is Z2\mathbf{Z}^2 and the vertices of the triangle have integer valued coordinates. We consider what happens when we replace the lattice by (2Z)2(2 \mathbf{Z})^2 instead and give an explicit formula for the number of lattice points inside a triangle in terms of Hardy sums. Moreover, we give a second geometric interpretation of the Hardy sums as signed intersection numbers with a certain oriented net of geodesics. Using this geometric realization, we prove a generalized reciprocity law for Hardy sums by an elementary argument.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2203.14582,
  title  = {Two Geometric Interpretations of Hardy Sums},
  author = {Alessandro Lägeler},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2203.14582},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

v2: 17 pages, added the second interpretation; comments welcome!

R2 v1 2026-06-24T10:28:02.557Z