On bases of odd and even universal ordinary distributions (Q1183272)

The author proves that the Stickelberger ideal \(S\) (the group of circular units \(C\)) of a general cyclotomic field can be described by means of the module generated by the values of an odd (even) Kubert's universal ordinary distribution. The Stickelberger ideal of a general cyclotomic field was introduced by \textit{W. Sinnott} [Ann. Math. (2) 108, 107--134 (1978; Zbl 0395.12014)] who formulated his class number formulas concerning the expression of the indices \(S\) and \(C\) by the first and the second factors of the class number of the general cyclotomic field. In the given article these formulas are proved in an elementary way using the former result. The first and the second factors are given in the form of special determinants.