On theta characteristics of real algebraic curves

Real theta characteristics of a real algebraic curve are studied. The numbers of even and odd real theta characteristics are calculated. These numbers depend on the topological characteristics of the curve only.     

The Arithmetical Hierarchy of Real Numbers

A real number x is computable iff it is the limit of an effectively converging computable sequence of rational numbers, and x is left (right) computable iff it is the supremum (infimum) of a computable sequence of rational numbers. By applying the operations “sup” and “inf” alternately n times to computable (multiple) sequences of rational numbers we introduce a non‐collapsing hierarchy {Σ_n, Π_n, Δ_n : n ∈ ℕ} of real numbers. We characterize the classes Σ₂, Π₂ and Δ₂ in various ways and give several interesting examples.     

Critical Points of Real Polynomials and Topology of Real Algebraic T-Surfaces

The paper is devoted to a special class of real polynomials, so-called T-polynomials, which arise in the combinatorial version of the Viro theorem. We study the relation between the numbers of real critical points of a given index of a T-polynomial and the combinatorics of lattice triangulations of Newton polytopes. We obtain upper bounds for the numbers of extrema and saddles of generic T-polynomials of a given degree in three variables, and derive from them upper bounds for Betti numbers of real algebraic surfaces in defined by T-polynomials. The latter upper bounds are stronger than the known upper bounds for arbitrary real algebraic surfaces in . Another result is the existence of an asymptotically maximal family of real polynomials of degree min three variables with 31m ³/36 + O(m ²) saddle points.     

Heegner Divisors and Nonholomorphic Modular Forms

We consider an embedded modular curve in a locally symmetric space M attached to an orthogonal group of signature (p, 2) and associate to it a nonholomorphic elliptic modular form by integrating a certain theta function over the modular curve. We compute the Fourier expansion and identify the generating series of the (suitably defined) intersection numbers of the Heegner divisors in M with the modular curve as the holomorphic part of the modular form. This recovers and generalizes parts of work of Hirzebruch and Zagier.     

Numerical Schottky Uniformizations

A real algebraic curve of algebraic genus g ≥ 2 is a pair (S, τ), where S is a closed Riemann surface of genus g and τ is a reflection on S (anticonformal involution with fixed points). In this note, we discuss a numerical (Burnside) program which permits to obtain a Riemann period matrix of the surface S in terms of an uniformizing real Schottky group. If we denote by Aut₊(S, τ) the group of conformal automorphisms of S commuting with the real structure τ, then it is a well known fact that |Aut₊(S,τ)| ≥ 12(g−1). We say that (S,τ) is maximally symmetric if |Aut₊(S,τ)|=12(g−1). We work explicitly such a numerical program in the case of maximally symmetric real curves of genus two. We construct a real Schottky uniformization for each such real curve and we use the numerical program to obtain a real algebraic curve, a Riemann period matrix and the accessory parameters in terms of the corresponding Schottky uniformization. In particular, we are able to give for Bolza’s curve a Schottky uniformization (at least numerically), providing an example for which the inverse uniformization theorem is numerically solved.Partially supported by Projects Fondecyt 1030252 1030373 and UTFSM 12.03.21     

Monotonically Computable Real Numbers

Area number x is called k‐monotonically computable (k‐mc), for constant k > 0, if there is a computable sequence (x_n)_{n ∈ ℕ} of rational numbers which converges to x such that the convergence is k‐monotonic in the sense that k · |x — x_n| ≥ |x — x_m| for any m > n and x is monotonically computable (mc) if it is k‐mc for some k > 0. x is weakly computable if there is a computable sequence (x_s)_{s ∈ ℕ} of rational numbers converging to x such that the sum $\sum _{s \in \mathbb{N}}$|x_s — x_{s + 1}| is finite. In this paper we show that a mc real numbers are weakly computable but the converse fails. Furthermore, we show also an infinite hierarchy of mc real numbers.     

h‐monotonically computable real numbers

Let h : ? → ? be a computable function. A real number x is called h‐monotonically computable (h‐mc, for short) if there is a computable sequence (x_s) of rational numbers which converges to x h‐monotonically in the sense that h(n)|x – x_n| ≥ |x – x_m| for all n andm > n. In this paper we investigate classes h‐ MC of h‐mc real numbers for different computable functions h. Especially, for computable functions h : ? → (0, 1)_?, we show that the class h‐ MC coincides with the classes of computable and semi‐computable real numbers if and only if Σ_i∈?(1 – h(i)) = ∞and the sum Σ_i∈?(1 – h(i)) is a computable real number, respectively. On the other hand, if h(n) ≥ 1 and h converges to 1, then h‐ MC = SC (the class of semi‐computable reals) no matter how fast h converges to 1. Furthermore, for any constant c > 1, if h is increasing and converges to c, then h‐ MC = c‐ MC . Finally, if h is monotone and unbounded, then h‐ MC contains all ω‐mc real numbers which are g‐mc for some computable function g. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Teaching of real numbers by using the Archimedes–Cantor approach and computer algebra systems

Computer technologies and especially computer algebra systems (CAS) allow students to overcome some of the difficulties they encounter in the study of real numbers. The teaching of calculus can be considerably more effective with the use of CAS provided the didactics of the discipline makes it possible to reveal the full computational potential of CAS. In the case of real numbers, the Archimedes–Cantor approach satisfies this requirement. The name of Archimedes brings back the exhaustion method. Cantor's name reminds us of the use of Cauchy rational sequences to represent real numbers. The usage of CAS with the Archimedes–Cantor approach enables the discussion of various representations of real numbers such as graphical, decimal, approximate decimal with precision estimates, and representation as points on a straight line. Exercises with numbers such as e, π, the golden ratio ?, and algebraic irrational numbers can help students better understand the real numbers. The Archimedes–Cantor approach also reveals a deep and close relationship between real numbers and continuity, in particular the continuity of functions.     

Vectors bundles with theta divisors I—Bundles on Castelnuovo curves

In this paper we show that semistable vector bundles on a Castelnuovo curve of genus g ≥ 2 have theta divisors. As a corollary, we deduce that semistable vector bundles on a smooth, general curve of genus g ≥ 2 which extend to semistable vector bundles on any flat Castelnuovo degeneration of the general curve admit a theta divisor. Received: 8 August 2008     

The introduction of real numbers in secondary education: an institutional analysis of textbooks

In this paper we analyse the introduction of irrational and real numbers in secondary textbooks, and specifically the propositions on how these should be taught, in a sample of Brazilian textbooks used in state schools and approved by the Ministry of Education. The analyses discussed in this paper follow an institutional perspective (using Chevallard's Anthropological Theory of Didactics). Our results indicate that the notion of irrational number is generally introduced on the basis of the decimal representation of numbers, and that the mathematical need for the construction of the field of real numbers remains unclear in the textbooks. It seems that textbooks used in secondary teaching institutions develop mathematical organisations which focus on the practical block.     

A nonalgebraic patchwork

Itenberg and Shustin’s pseudoholomorphic curve patchworking is in principle more flexible than Viro’s original algebraic one. It was natural to wonder if the former method allows one to construct nonalgebraic objects. In this paper we construct the first examples of patchworked real pseudoholomorphic curves in Σ _n whose position with respect to the pencil of lines cannot be realized by any real algebraic curve of the same bidegree. Both authors are very grateful to the Max Planck Institute für Mathematik in Bonn for its financial support and excellent working conditions.     

A Real Number Structure that is Effectively Categorical

On countable structures computability is usually introduced via numberings. For uncountable structures whose cardinality does not exceed the cardinality of the continuum the same can be done via representations. Which representations are appropriate for doing real number computations? We show that with respect to computable equivalence there is one and only one equivalence class of representations of the real numbers which make the basic operations and the infinitary normed limit operator computable. This characterizes the real numbers in terms of the theory of effective algebras or computable structures, and is reflected by observations made in real number computer arithmetic. Demanding computability of the normed limit operator turns out to be essential: the basic operations without the normed limit operator can be made computable by more than one class of representations. We also give further evidence for the well-known non-appropriateness of the representation to some base b by proving that strictly less functions are computable with respect to these representations than with respect to a standard representation of the real numbers. Furthermore we consider basic constructions of representations and the countable substructure consisting of the computable elements of a represented, possibly uncountable structure. For countable structures we compare effectivity with respect to a numbering and effectivity with respect to a representation. Special attention is paid to the countable structure of the computable real numbers.     

康托尔实数的局限性

康托尔为我们建立了集合论，并且证明了实数的不可数性，但是其中留下了很多疑点． 1．—个实数能在每—个集合论模型中出现的充分必要条件是它是可以被集合论来定义的．那些在集合论模型中不出现的实数，我们可以把他们叫做看不见的实数． 2．在实数的十进位无穷小数表示法中有些是我们能确切地知道它的第几位是什么，但是对另外的一些实数我们对它们就只能有模糊的认识，也就是说它的第几位是什么我们不可能全部知道．我们可以把他们叫做写不出的实数． 3．由于Cantor关于实数是不可数的证明不是构造性的证明，而是用所谓的归谬证法．它们中有很多是看不见写不出的实数．因此说它们是虚拟的实数． 4．虚拟实数就像银行中的虚拟货币，你可用它来买东西，它可从—个户头转拨到另—个户头，但是钱的实体是不存在的。这个现象也让我们对某些数学工具的合法性挺出质疑．我们用对角线法来证明实数的基数比自然数的基数大。但是我们并没有真正有效的地构造出那么多的实数．因此我们没有办法来确切地定义它们．也可以说它们中的绝大多数是不可以定义的．在一般的情况下虚拟实数是不可以个别地使用的．     

On orientable real algebraicM-surfaces

Here we study relations between homology classes determined by real points of a real algebraicM-surface. We prove new congruences involving the Euler characteristics of the connected components of the set of these real points. Translated fromMatematicheskie Zametki, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 510–526, October, 1997. Translated by S. S. Anisov     

Congruence formulae modulo powers of 2 for class numbers of cyclic quartic fields

Let K = $ k(\sqrt \theta ) $ k(\sqrt \theta ) be a real cyclic quartic field, k be its quadratic subfield and $ \tilde K = k(\sqrt { - \theta } ) $ \tilde K = k(\sqrt { - \theta } ) be the corresponding imaginary quartic field. Denote the class numbers of K, k and $ \tilde K $ \tilde K by h _K , h _k and {417-3} respectively. Here congruences modulo powers of 2 for h ⁻ = h _K /h _K and $ \tilde h^ - = h_{\tilde K} /h_k $ \tilde h^ - = h_{\tilde K} /h_k are obtained via studying the p-adic L-functions of the fields.     

Polynomial Vector Fields with Prescribed Algebraic Limit Cycles

For each non-singular real algebraic curve f = 0 of degree m we exhibit an explicit vector field of degree m which has precisely the bounded components of f = 0 as limit cycles. The degree of the system is optimal for a generic class of algebraic curves and improves the significantly the bounds given by Winkel.     

A sequentially computable function that is not effectively continuous at any point

P. Hertling [Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2380, Springer, Berlin, 2002, pp. 962–972; Ann. Pure Appl. Logic 132 (2005) 227–246] showed that there exists a sequentially computable function mapping all computable real numbers to computable real numbers that is not effectively continuous. Here, that result is strengthened: a sequentially computable function on the computable real numbers is constructed that is not effectively continuous at any point.     

图灵机计算实数函数的稳定性

定义在全体实数上的可计算函数是一个很重要的概念．在这以前定义可计算的实数函数有两个途径．第一个途径是首先要定义可计算实数的指标．想要确定实数函数y=f（x）是不是可以计算就要看是否存在一个自然数的（部分）递归函数将可计算实数x的指标对应到可计算实数y的指标．这样一来对实数函数的研究依赖于对自然数函数的研究．第二个定义可计算的实数函数的途径是以逼近为基础的．一个实数函数是可以计算的如果它既是序列可计算的同时也是一致连续的．用这个途径来定义可计算实数函数使用的条件过强以至于很多有用的实数函数成为不可计算的实数函数．例如“〈”和“=”的命题函数就是不可以计算的因为它们是不连续的命题函数．本文讨论了图灵机的稳定性并且给出了一个基于稳定图灵机的可计算实数函数的定义．我们的定义不需要用到自然数的（部分）递归函数．根据我们的定义很多常用实数函数特别是一些不连续的常用实数函数都是可以计算的．用我们的定义来讨论可计算实数函数的性质比原来的定义要方便得多．     

Real reduction theory

On a Borel bar space (E,B,-), the following concepts are introduced in a suitable way: measurable fields of real Hilbert spaces, real measurable fields of vectors, operators and Von Neumann (VN) algebras: ξ (⋅),a (⋅),M (⋅). Then a satisfactory real reduction theory is obtained: a real VN algebraM can be represented as a direct integral where each VN algebraM(t) in this field will be simpler.     

Theta characteristics of hyperelliptic graphs

We study theta characteristics of hyperelliptic metric graphs of genus g with no bridge edges. These graphs have a harmonic morphism of degree two to a metric tree that can be lifted to a morphism of degree two of a hyperelliptic curve X over K to the projective line, with K an algebraically closed field of char\({(K) \not =2}\), complete with respect to a non-Archimedean valuation, with residue field k of char\({(k)\not=2}\). The hyperelliptic curve has \({2^{2g}}\) theta characteristics. We show that for each effective theta characteristic on the graph, \({2^{g-1}}\) even and \({2^{g-1}}\) odd theta characteristics on the curve specialize to it; and \({2^g}\) even theta characteristics on the curve specialize to the unique not effective theta characteristics on the graph.