Lambert series and Ramanujan (Q1329246)

The author shows how Lambert series \(\sum^\infty_{n=1} a_n {x^n \over {1-x^n}}\) are or can be used to prove several identities involving arithmetical functions, elliptic functions, basic hypergeometric series and mock theta functions. Proofs are presented of identities found by E. T. Bell, W. N. Bailey and especially S. Ramanujan. Most proofs are given elsewhere, but the author emphasizes the significant role played by the Lambert series and its generalizations for a better understanding of the works of Ramanujan on elliptic functions, theta functions and mock theta functions. The main part of the paper deals with a great number of identities found in the `Lost' Notebook of Ramanujan, which involve series of the form \[ \sum^\infty_{n= -\infty} (-1)^{\varepsilon n} q^{\lambda n^2} R(q^n), \] where \(\varepsilon\) equals 0 or 1, \(\lambda> 0\) and \(R(x)\) is a rational function of \(x\). These generalized Lambert series are used to prove several identities involving the famous Rogers-Ramanujan functions \(G(q)= [(q; q^5)_\infty (q^4; q^5 )_\infty ]^{-1}\) and \(H(q)= [(q^2; q^5)_\infty (q^3; q^5)_\infty ]^{-1}\), where \((a; q^k)_\infty:= \prod^\infty_{n=0} (1- aq^{kn})\). Finally, the author mentions a few recent applications of Lambert series in works on sorting theory (by K. Uchimura), Weierstrass' elliptic function theory (by V. Ramamani) and mock theta functions of order six (by G. E. Andrews and D. Hickerson).