On the values of \(G\)-functions (Q2510750): Difference between revisions

The definition of \(G\)-functions goes back to [\textit{C. L. Siegel}, Abh. Preuß. Akad. Wiss., Phys.-Math. Kl. 1929, No. 1, 70 S. (1929; JFM 56.0180.05)]. See also \textit{Y. André} [\(G\)-functions and geometry. Wiesbaden etc.: Friedr. Vieweg \& Sohn (1989; Zbl 0688.10032)] and \textit{B. Dwork} et al. [An introduction to \(G\)-functions. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1994; Zbl 0830.12004)]. In the paper under review, the authors introduce the set \(G\) of all values \(f(\alpha)\) where \(f\) is a \(G\)-function and \(\alpha\) an algebraic number where the function \(f\) has an analytic continuation with a finite value. A main result is that a complex number \(\xi\) belongs to \(G\) if and only if there exists a \(G\)-function \(f\) with rational coefficients such that \(\xi=f(1)\). Given \(\xi\) and \(R>1\), such an \(f\) exists having a radius of convergence \(>R\). Besides, the authors prove that a real number is the quotient of two elements in \(G\) if and only if \(\xi=\lim a_n/b_n\), where \(a_n\) and \(b_n\) are rational numbers such that \(\sum a_n z^n\) and \(\sum b_n z^n\) are \(G\)-functions. The set \(G\) is a subring of \({\mathbb C}\), its group of units contains the nonzero algebraic numbers, the number \(\pi\), the numbers \(\Gamma(p/q)^q\) for \(p/q\in\mathbb Q\). The authors conjecture that \(G\) is not a field and that no element in \(G\) is a Liouville number. They also introduce a similar ring \(E\) related with Siegel \(E\)-functions and discuss connections with irrationality problems and irrationality measures.