On the Stern-Brocot expansion of real numbers (Q2199515)

Starting from \(\frac{1}{1}\), rational numbers in the interval \((0, \infty)\) can be written using the lazy addition of rational numbers together with a level structure organized according to heights. Each rational number is represented by a vertex. Level 1 consists only of \(\frac{1}{1}\) called the root; level 2 consists of \(\frac{1}{2}\) and \(\frac{2}{1}\); level 3 consists of \(\frac{1}{3}\), \(\frac{2}{3}\), \(\frac{3}{2}\) et \(\frac{3}{1}\); etc. Declaring a rational number, say \(\frac{p}{q}\) lying in level \(n\) to be the parent of vertices (or childs) \(\frac{p_1}{q_1}\) and \(\frac{p_2}{q_2}\) lying in level \(n+1\) whenever \(\frac{p}{q} = \frac{p_1 + p_2}{q_1+q_2}\). When one declares that there are edges only between parents and their children, one obtains a planar tree called the Stern-Brocot tree. The encoding of classical continued fractions using bipartite Farey tree (or rather its topological realization as the \(\mathrm{PSL}(2,\mathbb{Z})\) orbit of the geodesic in the upper half plane connecting \(\sqrt{-1}\) and \(\exp(2 \pi \sqrt{-1}/3)\)) has an analogous dual in this case. Namely, by using left and right turns on the Stern-Brocot tree one can obtain the so-called Stern-Brocot expansion of a positive real number. In the article under review, the author reproves classical results due to \textit{A. Hurwitz} [Math. Ann. 44, 417--436 (1894; JFM 25.0322.04)] (concerning periodic expansions, and others) and \textit{C. Allauzen} [J. Théor. Nombres Bordx. 10, No. 2, 237--241 (1998; Zbl 0930.11051)] (concerning good numbers). The correspondence between integral primitive indefinite binary quadratic forms, primitive hyperbolic elements (or hyperbolic subgroups) and Lyndon words are revisited.