On generalized Dedekind sums (Q1256503)

The sums in question were introduced by \textit{L. Carlitz} [Math. Z. 85, 83--90 (1964; Zbl 0122.05104)] and are defined by \[ s_r(a,b\mid x,y) = \sum_{j=0}^{\vert b\vert - 1} P_r\left(\frac{a(j+y)}{b} + x\right) P_1\left(\frac{j+y}{b}\right) \] where \(r, a, b\) are integers, \(r\ge 0\), \(b\ne 0\), and \(x, y\) are real. \(P_r(x)\) is the periodic extension of the Bernoulli polynomial \(B_r(x)\) with period \(1\). This paper gives a simple proof of Carlitz's reciprocity law for these sums. An explicit formula is also given for expressing these sums in terms of the quotients and remainders obtained by applying the Euclidean algorithm to the calculation of the \(gcd(a, b)\).