Cm Elliptic Curves and Bicolorings of Steiner Triple Systems

It is shown that a necessary condition for the existence ofa bicolored Steiner triple system of order n is that n can bewritten in the form A²+3B² for integers A and B. In the casewhen n=q is either a prime congruent to 1 mod 3, or the squareof a prime congruent to 2 mod 3, it is shown that the numbersof colored vertices in the triple system would be unique, andare given by the number of points on specific twists of theCM elliptic curve y²=x³–1 over the finite field F_q. 2000Mathematics Subject Classification 05B07, 11G20, 14G15 (primary);11G15, 14K22 (secondary).     

Diophantine analysis and torsion on elliptic curves

In a recent paper of Bennett and the author, it was shown thatthe elliptic curve defined by y² = x³ + Ax + B, where A andB are integers, has no rational points of finite order if Ais sufficiently large relative to B (at least if one assumesthe abc Conjecture of Masser and Oesterlé). In the presentarticle we show, perhaps surprisingly, that the rational torsionon the above curve is also quite restricted if B is sufficientlylarge relative to A. In particular, we demonstrate that forany > 0 there is a constant c such that if A and B are integerssatisfying |B| > c |A|⁶⁺, then the elliptic curve definedabove has no rational torsion points, other than a possiblepoint of order 2 (again making use of the abc Conjecture insome cases). We then extend this by proving similar resultsfor elliptic curves admitting non-trivial -isogenies, ellipticcurves written in other forms, and elliptic curves over certainnumber fields. Curiously, the results on isogenies lead to twounexpected irrationality measures for certain algebraic numbers.     

An Optimal Representation Formula for Carnot-Caratheodory Vector Fields

The simplest example of the sort of representation formula thatwe shall study is the following familiar inequality for a smooth,real-valued function f(x) defined on a ball B in N-dimensionalEuclidean space R^N: [formula] where f denotes the gradient of f, f_B is the average |B|^–1_Bf(y)dy, |B| is the Lebesgue measure of B, and C is a constantwhich is independent of f, x and B. This formula can be found,for example, in [4] and [12]; see also the closely related estimatesin [20, pp. 228{231]. Indeed, such a formula holds in any boundedconvex domain. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 31B10,46E35, 35A22.     

On the Greatest Prime Divisor of the Sum of Two Squares of Primes

One of the most famous theorems in number theory states thatthere are infinitely many positive prime numbers (namely p =2 and the primes p 1 mod4) that can be represented in the formx²₁+x²₂, where x₁ and x₂ are positive integers. In a recentpaper, Fouvry and Iwaniec [2] have shown that this statementremains valid even if one of the variables, say x₂, is restrictedto prime values only. In the sequel, the letter p, possiblywith an index, is reserved to denote a positive prime number.As p²₁=p²₂ = p is even for p₁, p₂ > 2, it is reasonable toconjecture that the equation p²₁=p²₂ = 2p has an infinity ofsolutions. However, a proof of this statement currently seemsfar beyond reach. As an intermediate step in this direction,one may quantify the problem by asking what can be said aboutlower bounds for the greatest prime divisor, say P(N), of thenumbers p²₁=p²₂, where p₁, p₂ N, as a function of the realparameter N 1. The well-known Chebychev–Hooley methodcombined with the Barban–Davenport–Halberstam theoremalmost immediately leads to the bound P(N) N^1–, if N N_o(); here, denotes some arbitrarily small fixed positivereal number. The first estimate going beyond the exponent 1has been achieved recently by Dartyge [1, Théorème1], who showed that P(N) N^10/9–. Note that Dartyge'sproof provides the more general result that for any irreduciblebinary form f of degree d 2 with integer coefficients the greatestprime divisor of the numbers |f(p₁, p₂)|, p₁, p₂ N, exceedsN^_d–, where _d = 2 – 8/(d = 7). We in particular wantto point out that Dartyge does not make use of the specificfeatures provided by the form x²₁+x²₂. By taking advantage ofsome special properties of this binary form, we are able toimprove upon the exponent ₂ = 10/9 considerably.     

The tower of K-theory of truncated polynomial algebras

Let A be a regular noetherian F_p-algebra. The relative K-groupsK_q(A[x]/(x^m),(x)) and the Nil-groups Nil_q(A[x]/(x^m)) were evaluatedby the author and Ib Madsen in terms of the big de Rham–Wittgroups W_rA^q of the ring A. In this paper, we evaluate the mapsof relative K-groups and Nil-groups induced by the canonicalprojection f: A[x]/(x^m) A[x]/(xⁿ). The result depends stronglyon the prime p. It generalizes earlier work by Stienstra onthe groups in degrees 2 and 3. Received February 28, 2007.     

The density of prime divisors in the arithmetic dynamics of quadratic polynomials

Let f [x], and consider the recurrence given by a_n = f(a_{n –1}), with a₀ . Denote by P(f, a₀) the set of prime divisorsof this recurrence, that is, the set of primes dividing at leastone non-zero term, and denote the natural density of this setby D(P(f, a₀)). The problem of determining D(P(f, a₀)) whenf is linear has attracted significant study, although it remainsunresolved in full generality. In this paper, we consider thecase of f quadratic, where previously D(P(f, a₀)) was knownonly in a few cases. We show that D(P(f, a₀)) = 0 regardlessof a₀ for four infinite families of f, including f = x² + k,k \{–1}. The proof relies on tools from group theoryand probability theory to formulate a sufficient condition forD(P(f, a₀)) = 0 in terms of arithmetic properties of the forwardorbit of the critical point of f. This provides an analogy toresults in real and complex dynamics, where analytic propertiesof the forward orbit of the critical point have been shown todetermine many global dynamical properties of a quadratic polynomial.The article also includes apparently new work on the irreducibilityof iterates of quadratic polynomials.     

Interpolating Blaschke Products and Factorization Theorems

Let M(H) be the maximal ideal space of H the Banach algebraof bounded analytic functions on the open unit disk. Let G bethe set of nontrivial points in M(H). By Hoffman's work, G hasdeep connections with the zero sets of interpolating Blaschkeproducts. It is proved that for a closed -separated subset Eof M(H) with E G, there exists an interpolating Blaschke productwhose zero set contains E. This is a generalization of Lingenberg'stheorem. Let f be a continuous function on M(H). Suppose thatf is analytic on a nontrivial Gleason part P(x), f(x) = 0, andf 0 on P(x). It is proved that there is an interpolating Blaschkeproduct b with zeros {z_n}_n such that b(x) = 0 and f(z_n) = 0for every n. This fact can be used for factorization theoremsin Douglas algebras and in algebras of functions analytic onGleason parts.     

Points of {varepsilon} Differentiability of Lipschitz Functions from Rn to Rn-1

This paper proves that for every Lipschitz function f : RⁿR^m,m < n, there exists at least one point of -differentiabilityof f which is in the union of all m-dimensional affine subspacesof the form q0 +span{q1,q2,...,q_m}, where q_j (j = 0,1,...,m)are points in Rⁿ with rational coordinates. 2000 MathematicsSubject Classification 26B05, 26B35.     

Norm Estimates for Commutators of Operators

Given two self-adjoint Hilbert space operators A, B, and a continuousfunction f, we prove several inequalities of the form ||f(A)X–Xf(B)||C(f)||AX–XB|| involving the L_p-norm of the derivative f' and the Besov B^r_,1-normof f.     

The Set of {omega}-Limit Points of A Map of the Circle is Closed

Let f be a continuous self-map of the unit circle, S¹. The -limitpoints (x) of a point x are the set of all limit points of thesequence of iterates of f acting on x. We shall show that theset of all -limit points _xS¹(x) a closed set in S¹.     

Hypersurface Singularities with 2-Dimensional Critical Locus

Consider an analytic germ f:(C^m, 0)(C, 0) (m3) whose criticallocus is a 2-dimensional complete intersection with an isolatedsingularity (icis). We prove that the homotopy type of the Milnorfiber of f is a bouquet of spheres, provided that the extendedcodimension of the germ f is finite. This result generalizesthe cases when the dimension of the critical locus is zero [8],respectively one [12]. Notice that if the critical locus isnot an icis, then the Milnor fiber, in general, is not homotopicallyequivalent to a wedge of spheres. For example, the Milnor fiberof the germ f:(C⁴, 0)(C, 0), defined by f(x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄) =x₁x₂x₃x₄ has the homotopy type of S¹xS¹xS¹. On the other hand,the finiteness of the extended codimension seems to be the rightgeneralization of the isolated singularity condition; see forexample [9–12, 17, 18]. In the last few years different types of ‘bouquet theorems’have appeared. Some of them deal with germs f:(X, x)(C, 0) wheref defines an isolated singularity. In some cases, similarlyto the Milnor case [8], F has the homotopy type of a bouquetof (dim X–1)-spheres, for example when X is an icis [2],or X is a complete intersection [5]. Moreover, in [13] Siersmaproved that F has a bouquet decomposition FF₀Sⁿ...Sⁿ (whereF₀ is the complex link of (X, x)), provided that both (X, x)and f have an isolated singularity. Actually, Siersma conjecturedand Tibr proved [16] a more general bouquet theorem for thecase when (X, x) is a stratified space and f defines an isolatedsingularity (in the sense of the stratified spaces). In thiscase F_iF_i, where the F_i are repeated suspensions of complexlinks of strata of X. (If (X, x) has the ‘Milnor property’,then the result has been proved by Lê; for details see[6].) In our situation, the space-germ (X, x) is smooth, but f hasbig singular locus. Surprisingly, for dim Sing f^–1(0)2,the Milnor fiber is again a bouquet (actually, a bouquet ofspheres, maybe of different dimensions). This result is in thespirit of Siersma's paper [12], where dim Sing f^–1(0)= 1. In that case, there is only a rather small topologicalobstruction for the Milnor fiber to be homotopically equivalentto a bouquet of spheres (as explained in Corollary 2.4). Inthe present paper, we attack the dim Sing f^–1(0) = 2 case.In our investigation some results of Zaharia are crucial [17,18].     

Canonical curves in P3

Let Hilb^6t–3(P³) be the Hilbert scheme of closed 1-dimensionalsubschemes of degree 6 and arithmetic genus 4 in P³. Let H bethe component of Hilb^6t–3(P³) whose generic point correspondsto a canonical curve, that is, a complete intersection of aquadric and a cubic surface in P³. Let F be the vector spaceof linear forms in the variables z₁, z₂, z₃, z₄. Denote by F_dthe vector space of homogeneous forms of degree d. Set X = (f₂,f₃)where f₂ P(F₂) is a quadric surface, and f₃ P(F₃/f₂ ·F) is a cubic modulo f₂. Wehave a rational map, : X ... Hdefined by (f₂,f₃) f₂ f₃. It fails to be regular along thelocus where f₂ and f₃ acquire a common linear component. Ourmain result gives an explicit resolution of the indeterminaciesof as well as of the singularities of H. 2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 14C05, 14N05, 14N10,14N15.     

Fast Solution of Vandermonde-Like Systems Involving Orthogonal Polynomials

Consider the (n + 1) ? (n + 1) Vandermonde-like matrix P=[p_i-1(_j-1)],where the polynomials p_o(x), ..., p_n(x) satisfy a three-termrecurrence relation. We develop algorithms for solving the primaland dual systems, Px = b and P^Ta = f respectively, in O(n²)arithmetic operations and O(n) elements of storage. These algorithmsgeneralize those of Bj?rck & Pereyra which apply to themonomial case p_i(x). When the p_i(x) are the Chebyshev polynomials,the algorithms are shown to be numerically unstable. However,it is found empirically that the addition of just one step ofiterative refinement is, in single precision, enough to makethe algorithms numerically stable.     

Irregularities of Point Distribution Relative to Convex Polygons III

Suppose that P is a distribution of N points in the unit squareU=[0, 1]². For every x=(x₁, x₂)U, let B(x)=[0, x₁]x[0, x₂] denotethe aligned rectangle containing all points y=(y₁, y₂)U satisfying0y₁x₁ and 0y₂x₂. Denote by Z[P; B(x)] the number of points ofP that lie in B(x), and consider the discrepancy function D[P; B(x)]=Z[P; B(x)]–Nµ(B(x)), where µ denotes the usual area measure.     

Primes Represented by Binary Cubic Forms

Let f(x, y) be a binary cubic form with integral rational coefficients,and suppose that the polynomial f(x, y) is irreducible in Q[x,y] and no prime divides all the coefficients of f. We provethat the set f Z⁽²⁾ contains infinitely many primes unless f(a,b) is even for each (a,b) in Z², in which case the set contains infinitely many primes. 2000Mathematical Subject Classification: primary 11N32; secondary11N36, 11R44.     

A Krylov subspace algorithm for multiquadric interpolation in many dimensions

We consider the version of multiquadric interpolation wherethe interpolation conditions are the equations s(x_i) = f_i, i= 1,2,..., n, and where the interpolant has the form s(x) =_j=1ⁿ _j (||x – x_j ||² + c²)^1/2 + x R^d, subject to theconstraint _j=1ⁿ _j = 0. The points x_i R^d, the right-hand sidesf_i, i = 1,2,...,n, and the constant c are data. The equationsand the constraint define the parameters _j, j = 1,2,...,n, and. The resultant approximation s f is useful in many applications,but the calculation of the parameters by direct methods requiresO (n³) operations, and n may be large. Therefore iterative proceduresfor this calculation have been studied at Cambridge since 1993,the main task of each iteration being the computation of s(x_i),i = 1,2,...,n, for trial values of the required parameters.These procedures are based on approximations to Lagrange functions,and often they perform very well. For example, ten iterationsusually provide enough accuracy in the case d = 2 and c = 0,for general positions of the data points, but the efficiencydeteriorates if d and c are increased. Convergence can be guaranteedby the inclusion of a Krylov subspace technique that employsthe native semi-norm of multiquadric functions. An algorithmof this kind is specified, its convergence is proved, and carefulattention is given to the choice of the operator that definesthe Krylov subspace, which is analogous to pre-conditioningin the conjugate gradient method. Finally, some numerical resultsare presented and discussed, for values of d and n from theintervals [2,40] and [200,10 000], respectively.     

On an Extension Problem for Polynomials

Consider the following problem: given complex numbers a₁, ...,a_n, find an L function f of minimum norm whose Fourier coefficientsc_k(f) are equal to a_k for k between 0 and n. We show the uniquenessof this function, and we estimate its norm. The operator-valuedcase is also discussed. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification30E05, 47A20, 47A56, 47A57.     

On a model of viscoelastic rod in unilateral contact with a rigid wall

^** Corresponding author. Email: atanackovic{at}uns.ns.ac.yu We study translatory motion of a body to which a viscoelasticrod with the constitutive equation with fractional derivativesis attached. The body with a rod impacts against a rigid wall.It is shown that the problem is described with a coupled systemof differential equations having integer and fractional derivativeshaving the form x⁽²⁾ = –f; f + af⁽⁾ = x + bx⁽⁾, x(0) =0, x⁽¹⁾(0) = 1. The unique solvability in S'₊ is proved andinterpretation of solutions is given. Also, some a priori estimatesof the solution are given. In particular, we showed that restrictionson coefficients that follow from the second law of thermodynamicsimply that the velocity after the impact is smaller than thevelocity before the impact.     

On the numerical quadrature of highly-oscillating integrals I: Fourier transforms

Highly-oscillatory integrals are allegedly difficult to calculate.The main assertion of this paper is that that impression isincorrect. As long as appropriate quadrature methods are used,their accuracy increases when oscillation becomes faster andsuitable choice of quadrature points renders this welcome phenomenonmore pronounced. We focus our analysis on Filon-type quadratureand analyse its behaviour in a range of frequency regimes forintegrals of the form ₀^h f(x)e^{i x} w(x)d x, where h>0 issmall and | | large. Our analysis is applied to modified Magnus methods for highly-oscillatoryordinary differential equations. Received 6 June 2003. Revised 14 October 2003.     

A Mod Two Analogue of a Conjecture of Cooke

The mod two cohomology of the three connective covering of S³has the form F₂[X_2n] E(Sq¹X_2n) where x_2n is in degree 2n and n = 2. If F denotes the homotopytheoretic fibre of the map S³ B²S¹ of degree 2, then the mod2 cohomology of F is also of the same form for n = 1. Notice(cf. Section 7 of the present paper) that the existence of spaceswhose cohomology has this form for high values of n would immediatelyprovide Arf invariant elements in the stable stem. Hence, itis worthwhile to determine for what values of n the above algebracan be realized as the mod2 cohomology of some space. The purposeof this paper is to construct a further example of a space withsuch a cohomology algebra for n = 4 and to show that no othervalues of n are admissible. More precisely, we prove the following.