English

On a character sum problem of H. Cohn

Number Theory 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

Let ff be a complex valued function on a finite field FF such that f(0)=0f(0) = 0, f(1)=1f(1) = 1, and f(x)=1|f(x)| = 1 for x0x \neq 0. Cohn asked if it follows that ff is a nontrivial multiplicative character provided that xFf(x)f(x+h)ˉ=1\sum_{x \in F} f(x) \bar{f(x+h)} = -1 for h0h \neq 0. We prove that this is the case for finite fields of prime cardinality under the assumption that the nonzero values of ff are roots of unity.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0101242,
  title  = {On a character sum problem of H. Cohn},
  author = {Par Kurlberg},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0101242},
  year   = {2007}
}
R2 v1 2026-07-22T16:37:04.742Z