On semi-regular finite continued fractions (Q1078222)

We recall the definition of a semi-regular continued fraction, or s-rcf. It is known that if a and m are relatively prime integers with m positive then a/m can be expanded into an s-rcf in m different ways. We find an invariant over all these expansions of a/m, and we relate it to the Dedekind sum s(a,m). We prove the bound \[ | 12 s(a,m)| \leq 3+\sum^{n}_{k=1}(a_ k-1), \] where \(a_ k\), \(0\leq k\leq n\), are the partial quotients in any s-rcf for a/m. For \(n>5\), this improves on a result of \textit{D. E. Knuth} [Acta Arith. 33, 297-325 (1977; Zbl 0326.10007)]. \textit{H. Heilbronn} [Abh. Zahlentheorie Anal. 87-96 (1968; Zbl 0212.065)] and others have determined the average length of the regular continued fraction for a/m, averaging over \(a=1,2,...,m-1\), \((a,m)=1\). \textit{A. A. Panov} [Mat. Zametki 32, No.5, 593-600 (1982; Zbl 0504.10006)] and others have determined the average sum of the partial quotients; call this T(m). Letting A(m) and B(m) be the average length and average sum, respectively, for the negative-regular continued fraction, we prove \(2B(m)=6A(m)=3T(m)\).