A proof of a conjecture of C. L. Siegel (Q1320506)

Let \(M_ n\) be the Minkowski fundamental domain for the space of \(n\times n\) real symmetric positive definite matrices under the action of the unimodular group \(SL_ n(\mathbb{Z})\). In his work ``Zur Reduktionstheorie quadratischer Formen'' (1959; Zbl 0097.009) (Ges. Abh. Nr. 72) \textit{C. L. Siegel} asked the question whether \(d(A,B) - f(A,B) \leq C(n)\) for \(A,B \in M_ n\), where \(d\) and \(f\) are the geodesic and the reduced geodesic distances and \(C(n)\) is a constant depending only on \(n\). This question is answered affirmatively.