The representation of quadratic forms by almost universal forms of higher rank (Q1401503)

An (positive definite) integral quadratic form is called almost \(n\)-universal if it represents all but finitely many positive definite quadratic forms in \(n\) variables. In this paper, the author proves that for each integer \(n \geq 2\), there are only finitely many almost \(n\)-universal quadratic forms in \(n + 3\) variables. He also determines all diagonal almost \(n\)-universal quadratic forms (with 4 undecided candidates) in \(n + 3\) varaiables and their exceptions. An interesting consequence of the author's investigation is that for any \(n \geq 3\), all diagonal almost \(n\)-universal quadratic forms in \(n + 3\) varaiables are in fact already universal, except when the quadratic form is \(x_1^2 + \cdots + x_5^2 + 2x_6^2 + 2x_7^2\) which remains undecided for almost 4-universality.