Computing representation number quad forms

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the computation of the number of integer solutions for quadratic forms associated with a positive definite matrix. The specific forms being analyzed are Q and R, with the goal of determining r_A(1) for each.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss diagonalizing the quadratic forms and the implications of integer solutions for Q and R. There is an exploration of conditions necessary for solutions, such as setting certain variables to zero and the reasoning behind these choices. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of the conditions found in the solutions and the validity of certain assumptions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to consider the constraints on the variables, but no consensus has been reached on the interpretation of specific conditions or the correctness of certain calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the symbols used in the solutions and the implications of the quadratic forms' structure. There is also mention of the need to multiply equations to simplify comparisons, indicating a complexity in the calculations involved.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



## r_{A} (n) = ## number of solutions of ## { \vec{x} \in Z^{m} ; A[\vec{x}] =n} ##
where ##A[x]= x^t A x ##, is the associated quadratic from to the matrix ##A##, where here ##A## is positive definite, of rank ##m## and even. (and I think symmetric?)

I am solving for the ##r_{A}(1) ## for the two quadratic forms:

##Q(x,y,uv)= 2(x^2+y^2+u^2+v^2)+2xu+xv+yu-2yv##
##R(x,y,uv)=x^2+4(y^2+u^2+v^2)+xu+4yu+3yv+7uv##

Homework Equations



see above

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
diagonalized these read:

##Q=2(x+u/2+v/4)^2+2(y-v/2+u/4)^2+11u^2/8 + 11v^2/8 ##
##R=(x+1/2u)^2+4(y+1/2u+3/8v)^2+11/4(u+v)^2+11/16v^2 ##

Solving ##Q=1## with all ##x,y,u,v## integer, it is clear that ##u,v=0## is needed, and then ##x,y=\pm 1 ## gives ##r_{Q}(1)=4##.

Now looking at ## r_{R}(1) ## by the same reasoning as above I would have said that we require ##v=0## , and then I' m not sure what to do.

However the solution is:

Must have ##u+v=1 ## & ##|v|=0,\pm 1 ##, this gives ## \pm(1,0,0,0)##, ##\pm(1,0,-1,1) ## , ##\pm(0,0,-1,1)##

(the symbol that I interpreted as '&' in the solutions is a bit smudged, so looking at the solutions I'm not sure that this is supposed to be a 'or'? )

Either way, I'm really confused, unsure where these conditions come from, how to think about this in a logical way...

Many thanks for your help in advance.
 
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binbagsss said:

Homework Statement



## r_{A} (n) = ## number of solutions of ## { \vec{x} \in Z^{m} ; A[\vec{x}] =n} ##
where ##A[x]= x^t A x ##, is the associated quadratic from to the matrix ##A##, where here ##A## is positive definite, of rank ##m## and even. (and I think symmetric?)

I am solving for the ##r_{A}(1) ## for the two quadratic forms:

##Q(x,y,uv)= 2(x^2+y^2+u^2+v^2)+2xu+xv+yu-2yv##
##R(x,y,uv)=x^2+4(y^2+u^2+v^2)+xu+4yu+3yv+7uv##

Homework Equations



see above

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
diagonalized these read:

##Q=2(x+u/2+v/4)^2+2(y-v/2+u/4)^2+11u^2/8 + 11v^2/8 ##
##R=(x+1/2u)^2+4(y+1/2u+3/8v)^2+11/4(u+v)^2+11/16v^2 ##

Solving ##Q=1## with all ##x,y,u,v## integer, it is clear that ##u,v=0## is needed, and then ##x,y=\pm 1 ## gives ##r_{Q}(1)=4##.

Now looking at ## r_{R}(1) ## by the same reasoning as above I would have said that we require ##v=0## , and then I' m not sure what to do.

However the solution is:

Must have ##u+v=1 ## & ##|v|=0,\pm 1 ##, this gives ## \pm(1,0,0,0)##, ##\pm(1,0,-1,1) ## , ##\pm(0,0,-1,1)##

(the symbol that I interpreted as '&' in the solutions is a bit smudged, so looking at the solutions I'm not sure that this is supposed to be a 'or'? )

Either way, I'm really confused, unsure where these conditions come from, how to think about this in a logical way...

Many thanks for your help in advance.
Are you sure there are no typos? I calculated ##R(0,0,-1,1) = \frac{61}{64}##. It could also help to multiply the equations by ##8##, resp. ##16##, which would make the comparisons easier.
 
binbagsss said:
Solving Q=1 with all x,y,u,v integer, it is clear that u,v=0 is needed
True, but not quite trivial.
binbagsss said:
and then x,y=±1
How do you get that? Don't those give Q=4?
binbagsss said:
by the same reasoning as above I would have said that we require v=0
Then you would be wrong. I said it wasn't quite trivial.
As fresh_42 writes, it will help to multiply through the equations to eliminate the fractions.
 
haruspex said:
True, but not quite trivial.

How do you get that? Don't those give Q=4?

Then you would be wrong. I said it wasn't quite trivial.
.

oh right, the reason is that each term needs to be ##\leq 1 ## ?
 
binbagsss said:
oh right, the reason is that each term needs to be ##\leq 1 ## ?
Each term must be no more than 1, but I cannot say whether that is the "reason" you were wrong to conclude v=0 since I do not know how you concluded it. All I can say is that there is a solution with v not 0.
 

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