Discriminant function and paritition function - modular forms - algebra really

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the discriminant function, denoted as ##\Delta(q)##, and its relationship with the partition function ##p(n)##. Participants are exploring the mathematical properties and identities involving these functions, particularly in the context of modular forms.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to manipulate the expression for ##\Delta(q)## and relate it to Euler's formula. There are questions regarding the correct application of powers in the context of the partition function and the discriminant function.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the definitions and properties of the functions involved, including references to Dedekind's ##\eta##-function and Ramanujan's ##\tau##-function. However, there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or the correctness of the approaches taken.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with the ranges of summation and the applicability of Euler's identity in the context of their specific problem. There is also mention of a lack of deeper knowledge in number theory among some participants, which may affect their ability to resolve the problem.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



I am wanting to show that ##\Delta (t) = 1/q (\sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0} p(n)q^{n})^{24} ##

where ##\Delta (q) = q \Pi^{\infty}_{n=1} (1-q^{n})^{24} ## is the discriminant function
and ##p(n)## is the partition function,

Homework Equations



Euler's result that : ## \sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0} p(n)q^{n} = \Pi^{\infty}_{n=1} (1-q^{n})^{-1} ##

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
To be honest , I'm probably doing something really stupid, but at first sight, I would have thought we need
## \sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0} p(n)q^{n} ## raised to a negative power, as raising to ##+24## looks like your going to get something like ##(1-q^{n})^{-24}##...

I've had a little play and get the following...

## \Delta (q) = q \Pi^{\infty}_{n=1} (1-q^{n})^{24} = \frac{q \Pi^{\infty}_{n=1}(1-q^{n})^{25}}{\Pi^{\infty}_{n=1}(1-q^{n}})=(\Pi^{\infty}_{n=1} (1-q^{n})^{25}) q \sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=1} p(n) q^{n} ##

(don't know whether it's in the right direction or where to turn next..)

Many thanks in advance.
 
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Have you tried to use Euler's formula to write ##\Delta(q)^{-1}##?
 
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fresh_42 said:
Have you tried to use Euler's formula to write ##\Delta(q)^{-1}##?

erm yeah I get ##1/\Delta = 1/q (\sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0} p(n)q^{n} ) ^{24} ## ..
 
bump.
 
binbagsss said:
erm yeah I get ##1/\Delta = 1/q (\sum\limits^{\infty}_{n=0} p(n)q^{n} ) ^{24} ## ..
am i missing some properties of partition function or anything?
 
Let me list what I've found out, and what not.

We first have Dedekind's ##\eta-##function defined by ##\eta(z)=q^{\frac{1}{24}}\cdot \prod_{n \geq 1} (1-q^n)## where ##q=\exp(2 \pi i z )## and ##\mathcal{Im}(z) > 0##. This defines our modular discriminant by ##\Delta(z)=c\cdot \eta^{24}(z)## with ##c := (2\pi)^{12}##. So this results in
$$ \Delta(z) = c\cdot \eta^{24}(z) = c\cdot q \cdot \prod_{n \geq 1}(1-q^n)^{24}\; , \;\left(c := (2\pi)^{12}\; , \;q=\exp(2\pi i z)\; , \;\mathcal{Im}(z) > 0\right)$$
Then we have Ramanujan's ##\tau-##function ##\tau: \mathbb{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{Z}## defined by
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\tau(n)q^n=q\cdot \prod_{n \geq 1}(1-q^n)^{24} = \eta(z)^{24} = c^{-1} \Delta(z)$$.

Euler's identity is ##\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}p(k)x^k = \prod_{n \geq 1}(1-x^n)^{-1}## with the partition function ##p(k): \mathbb{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{N}##.

Unfortunately, I haven't found (or dug any deeper if you like) whether Euler's identity holds for our special choice ##x=q## with positive imaginary part of ##z##. Also the sums aren't over the same range ##(k \geq 0\; , \;n\geq 1)## and involve two different functions ##\tau## and ##p##. But I'm no specialist in number theory (and have only a book with basics).
 

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