Undergrad Geometry of series terms of the Riemann Zeta Function

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the geometry of the series terms of the Riemann Zeta Function, specifically for the argument ##\sigma + i t = 1/2 + 62854.13 \thinspace i##. An Argand diagram illustrates the first 40,000 terms, highlighting a symmetry between the first 100 terms (blue) and the remaining terms (red), with the red section exhibiting a more intricate structure. The phenomenon of mirror symmetry in the partial sums remains unexplained, with references to G. Nickel's papers indicating that while the symmetry is noted, its origins are not rigorously proven. The discussion raises questions about the lack of interest in this area of research and seeks additional sources and proofs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Riemann Zeta Function and its series representation.
  • Familiarity with Argand diagrams and complex analysis.
  • Knowledge of modular symmetry and its implications in number theory.
  • Basic concepts of random matrix theory and its connection to number theory.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research G. Nickel's papers on the geometry of the Riemann Zeta Function for deeper insights.
  • Explore the Selberg trace formula and its relevance to the Riemann Zeta Function.
  • Investigate the role of modular symmetry in number theory.
  • Study the implications of random matrix theory on the distribution of zeros of the Riemann Zeta Function.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, number theorists, and researchers interested in the properties of the Riemann Zeta Function and its geometric interpretations.

Swamp Thing
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This is an Argand diagram showing the first 40,000 terms of the series form of the Riemann Zeta function, for the argument ##\sigma + i t = 1/2 + 62854.13 \thinspace i##

1677033178046.png

The blue lines are the first 100 (or so) terms, and the rest of the terms are in red. The plot shows a kind of approximate symmetry about the dotted green line, in the sense that the red part mirrors the blue part on average but is much more fine-grained. The last spiral in the red part is centred around the analytically continued value of zeta.

These aspects of the RZF seem rather interesting to me, but I could find only a limited amount of discussion about it --
1. https://arxiv.org/abs/1310.6396, G. Nickel, Geometry of the Riemann Zeta Function
2. https://arxiv.org/abs/1507.07631, G. Nickel. Symmetry in Partial Sums of the Riemann Zeta Function
3. https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/surj/issue/download/surj-2005/47, see pages 17-26.
4. http://laacademy.org/LAS2021/posters/P24_Conor_McGibboney.pdf

I am wondering why there isn't more interest in this. Is it because it is considered a dead end as far as research level mathematics?

Secondly, are there other sources that I have missed?

Thirdly, the symmetry property is not actually proved in the above references, but only explored phenomenologically. Is there a rigorous proof somewhere?
 
Last edited:
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Swamp Thing said:
...
I am wondering why there isn't more interest in this.
...
Shouldn't the question always be the opposite, why is there interest in this? What is the motivation?
 
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Speaking only for myself -- curiosity.

It would make me happy to understand why the mirror symmetry emerges from this rather chaotic, almost Brownian behavior.
 
Last edited:
I decided to ask ChatGPT, mentioning the G. Nickel papers that I linked to in my OP.

ChatGPT:
As far as I know, the exact reason for the observed mirror symmetry in the partial sums of the Riemann zeta function has not been fully explained or proven. Nickel himself acknowledges this in his papers, stating that the symmetry is "striking" but that "its origins are not well understood".

Some researchers have proposed various explanations, such as the role of modular symmetry, the connection to the Selberg trace formula, and the connection to random matrix theory. However, these explanations are still speculative and there is no consensus on the exact reason for the observed symmetry. The phenomenon remains an active area of research in number theory and related fields.
 

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