On the diophantine equation \(1=\sum \frac{1}{n_ i}+\frac{1}{\prod n_ i}\quad and\) a class of homologically trivial complex surface singularities (Q1821168)

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On the diophantine equation \(1=\sum \frac{1}{n_ i}+\frac{1}{\prod n_ i}\quad and\) a class of homologically trivial complex surface singularities
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    On the diophantine equation \(1=\sum \frac{1}{n_ i}+\frac{1}{\prod n_ i}\quad and\) a class of homologically trivial complex surface singularities (English)
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    1988
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    In this paper we investigate the relation between an elementary problem in the theory of unit (or Egyptian) fractions, and the local topological structure of isolated singularities of complex surfaces, namely: Let \(n_ 1,...,n_ N\) be integers \(\geq 2\), and let \(x\in X\) be an isolated two-dimensional complex singularity whose dual intersection graph is a star with central \(weight\quad 1\) and with \(weights\quad n\) on the arms. Then X is locally the cone on a homology 3-sphere if and only if \(\sum n_ i^{-1}+(\prod n_ i)^{-1}=1.\quad All\) such unit fraction expressions for 1 are given for \(N\leq 7\), and properties of such sequences \(\{n_ i\}\) are discussed in general.
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    Egyptian fraction
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    topological structure of isolated singularities of complex surfaces
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