On a family of singular measures related to Minkowski's \(?(x)\) function (Q2500586): Difference between revisions

For two fractions \(a/b\) and \(c/d\) with integers \(a,b,c\), and \(d\), define the mediant as \((a+c)/(b+d)\). Starting with \(0/1\) and \(1/1\), build the mediant triangle by a sequential process. The members of this triangle are known as Farey fractions. Minkowski's function \(M(x)\) (the author uses the symbol \(?(x)\) for \(M(x))\) is defined by the following recursive process: \(M(0) = 0, M(1)=1\), and for consecutive Farey fractions \(a/b\) and \(c/d, M((a+c)/(b+d)) = (1/2) M(a/b) + M(c/d)\). Then \(M(x)\) is extended to irrationals by continuity. It has been known that \(M(x)\) is strictly increasing and singular. Another classical result expresses \(M(x)\) in terms of the digits of the continued fraction expansion of \(x\), which, in view of the extensive literature on continued fractions, provides a powerful tool for metric results on \(M(x)\). The function \(M(x)\) can also be determined as the limit of some simply expressed distribution functions. The author generalizes the construction of the underlying distribution functions and studies the relation of such measures to each other. In particular, it is established that the measures obtained are mutually singular. The paper has a very good account of the history of the topic.