On the first factor of the class number of prime cyclotomic fields

Let H(l) be the first factor of the class number of the field $\text{Q}$(exp 2πi/l), l a prime. The best-known upper and lower bounds on H(l) are improved for small l. The methods would also improve the best-known bounds for large l. It is shown that H(l) is the absolute value of the determinant of an easily written down matrix whose only entries are 0 and 1. The upper bounds obtained on H(l) significantly improve the Hadamard bound on the determinant of this matrix. Results of Lehmer on the factors of H(l) are explained via class field theory.