Sums of squares over function fields (Q1320613): Difference between revisions

Let \(\mathbb{F}\) be a finite field, \(\alpha\in \mathbb{F}[T]\) a polynomial, \(r(\alpha,m)\) the number of solutions of \(\beta_ 1^ 2+ \dots+ \beta_ k^ 2= \alpha\) with \(\deg \beta_ j<m\) (this number depends also on \(k\)). A similar function for \(\mathbb{Z}\) was studied by Jacobi, Hardy, Ramanujan using elliptic functions and theta series. In the paper, similar methods are used for \(\mathbb{F}[T]\). The formula for \(r(\alpha,m)\) involves Kloosterman sums. Asymptotic formulas are obtained when \(m\), \(\deg(\alpha)\), or \(k\to\infty\). No references are given to previous work by \textit{M. Car} [cf. Sommes de carrées dans \(F_ q [X]\), Diss. Math. 215 (1983; Zbl 0531.12016)].