Cotangent sums, a further generlization of Dedekind sums (Q792365): Difference between revisions

Let \(\cot(z)=\cot \pi z\) if \(z\neq\) integer, \(\cot(z)=0\) otherwise. The cotangent sums considered here are \[ (1/c)\sum_{\nu mod c}\cot(- x+a(\nu +z)/c) \cot(-y+b(\nu +z)/c) \] where a,b,c are positive integers coprime in pairs, and x,y,z are real numbers in the interval [0,1). The author derives a three-term relation which, in the special case \(bb^{- 1}\equiv 1 (mod c)\) implies a reciprocity law. Specialization of the parameters x,y,z gives results similar to those for classical Dedekind sums and some of their relatives. In particular, \textit{B. Berndt}'s modified Dedekind sums [J. Reine Angew. Math. 303/304, 332-365 (1978; Zbl 0384.10011)] are special cases of these cotangent sums. Algorithms for calculating these sums are also described.