A non-trivial infinity of zeroes with real part one-half

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Loren Booda
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying equations other than the Riemann Zeta function that possess a non-trivial infinity of zeroes with a real part of one-half. Participants explore various mathematical functions and concepts, including holomorphic functions, sine functions, and the Weierstrass factorization theorem, while addressing the implications of "non-trivial" in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about equations that have a non-trivial infinity of zeroes with real part one-half, suggesting various mathematical functions.
  • One participant proposes the sine function and its transformations, arguing that it generates zeroes at the desired locations.
  • Another participant discusses the definition of "trivial" and "non-trivial" zeroes in the context of the Riemann Zeta function, questioning the relevance of certain examples.
  • There is mention of the Weierstrass factorization theorem as a potential tool for constructing functions with specific zeroes, with some participants expressing interest in its implications for the Riemann hypothesis.
  • Concerns are raised about the proof of the proportion of zeroes with real part one-half, with references to existing results that suggest at least 40% of the zeroes fall within this category.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on what constitutes "non-trivial" zeroes and the relevance of various functions. There is no consensus on a specific equation that meets the criteria set forth in the initial question, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of the Riemann hypothesis and the distribution of zeroes.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of defining "non-trivial" zeroes and the implications of the Riemann hypothesis, highlighting that the discussion involves unresolved mathematical concepts and definitions.

Loren Booda
Messages
3,115
Reaction score
4
Other than the Riemann Zeta function, what equation has a non-trivial infinity of zeroes with real part one-half?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Loren Booda said:
Other than the Riemann Zeta function, what equation has a non-trivial infinity of zeroes with real part one-half?
T(a) = a*(a-1)/2
T(1/2 + b*i) has an imaginary part equal to zero

I(a) = a*(a-i)/2
I(b +(1/2)*i) also has imaginary part equal to zero

Let c = a+b
Then N(a+bi) =I(b+a +(a)i) - T(a+(b+a)i) has a zero when a = 1/2
 
Last edited:
What equation? How about Re(z) - 1/2 = 0

Maybe you're looking for holomorphic functions
 
How about f(z)=0?
 
Perhaps holomorphic functions agree with what is meant by "non-trivial" in the definition of the Riemann Zeta function. In this latter regard the above examples appear trivial.

Also, by "real part" I implied that there was an "imaginary part." Is the Riemann-equivalent "alternating Zeta function" (a real, generalized alternating harmonic series) holomorphic?
 
Loren Booda said:
Perhaps holomorphic functions agree with what is meant by "non-trivial" in the definition of the Riemann Zeta function.
No. "Trivial zero of the Riemann zeta function" is simply a synonym for "negative even integer". We choose to call them the "trivial" zeroes because it's very easy to prove they are zeroes, and they are irrelevant to the Riemann hypothesis.

(I highly doubt you have ever see the word "nontrivial" in any definition of the Riemann Zeta function)

Office_Shredder mentioned "holomorphic functions" because he was trying to guess what the heck you meant by "equation".
 
Hurkyl said:
(I highly doubt you have ever see the word "nontrivial" in any definition of the Riemann Zeta function)

Of course, the RZF is just a simple function, the infinite series of th inverse intergers raised to the s power argument of the RZF. Nontrivial zeros are nowhere mentioned there, but they have to be mentioned in a definition of the RH, because the RH is just a conjecture about the RZF when the argument s now becomes a complex z = a + bi. Then Euler found the connection with the primes, which makes everything interesting. When we talk about the RH, you have to specify that you're talking about the nontrivial zeros.
 
I'm wondering what in the world a "trivial infinity" would be!
 
Sorry, it should read "infinite number," not "infinity."
 
  • #10
Loren Booda said:
Other than the Riemann Zeta function, what equation has a non-trivial infinity of zeroes with real part one-half?

Perhaps this is what you're looking for:

Consider the function sin(z). This has zeroes at all values n*pi, where n is an integer. Now rotate by 90 deg to get sin(iz). This has zeroes at at all values n*pi*i, where again n is any integer. Finally, translate by 1/2, to get sin(i(z - (1/2))). This last function has zeroes at all values (1/2) + n*pi*i, which have real part 1/2, as desired.
 
  • #11
Thanks, Petek.

I had earlier in this thread misinterpreted "non-trivial" as representing the seeming "random" distribution of primes on the line Re(z)=1/2. The sine function you mention generates answers with much more simple functions. Despite my initial confusion, yours is an elegant answer, although not akin to the class of function I was looking for.

Perhaps sequences like prime numbers could be found through such functions as I suggest. Perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree.
 
  • #12
You might want to look at the Weierstrass factorization theorem, which allows one to construct functions that have zeroes at any sequence {a_n} that satisfies certain growth conditions.
 
  • #13
The Weierstrass factorization theorem may introduce the tools needed to find functions in the complex plane similar to that described in the Riemann hypothesis, and generate series of numbers relating unique properties to the harmonic series.

Weierstrass' elementary factors seem to enable this. I would not be surprised in Riemann used a form of this theorem if it were available to him. This concept is very close to what I had envisioned.
 
  • #14
Loren Booda said:
The Weierstrass factorization theorem may introduce the tools needed to find functions in the complex plane similar to that described in the Riemann hypothesis, and generate series of numbers relating unique properties to the harmonic series.

Weierstrass' elementary factors seem to enable this. I would not be surprised in Riemann used a form of this theorem if it were available to him. This concept is very close to what I had envisioned.

Yes, Riemann knew a product expansion of the zeta function in terms of its zeroes. It's now called the Hadamard product.
 
  • #15
the question is that someone can proof that 'at leat the 40 % of zeros have real part 1/2' is there an argument to generalize this to 100 % , how can we really know that the 40 50 % of zeros have real part 1/2 if there is an infinite amount of them.
 
  • #16
zetafunction said:
the question is that someone can proof that 'at leat the 40 % of zeros have real part 1/2' is there an argument to generalize this to 100 % , how can we really know that the 40 50 % of zeros have real part 1/2 if there is an infinite amount of them.

To reply to the second part of your post, define N(T) to be the number of zeros s + it of the zeta function such that 0 < s < 1 and 0 < t [tex]\leq[/tex] T and define [tex]N_0[/tex](T) to be the number of zeros such that 0 < t [tex]\leq[/tex] T. In other words, N(T) is the number of zeros in the critical strip with imaginary part > 0 and [tex]\leq[/tex] T. [tex]N_0[/tex] is the number of zeros on the corresponding critical line. The Riemann Hypothesis asserts that [tex]N_0[/tex](T) = N(T). What has been proved is that

[tex]N_0[/tex] > [tex]\frac{2}{5}[/tex]N(T)

for sufficiently large T. This is what's meant when saying that at least 40% of the (non-trivial) zeros have real part [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex].

Hope that helps.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K