I. M. Vinogradov's method in number theory and its current development (Q2362388)

From the text: The paper presents a survey of the main results of I. M. Vinogradov, one of the most prominent Russian number theorists. For instance, I. M. Vinogradov's method is based on the idea of close relationship between arithmetic problems and problems of estimating exponential sums. First the authors list the main achievements of Vinogradov, in most cases outstanding results in number theory. In 1914--1918, he formulated the problem of distribution of quadratic residues and nonresidues modulo a prime number and solved this problem using his new method. In 1917, Vinogradov developed an arithmetic method for deriving an asymptotic formula in the problem of finding the number of integer points in a curvilinear trapezoid. In 1922--1924, he found an application of estimates for the Weyl sums to Waring's problem. In 1927, Vinogradov applied the Weyl exponential sums in the Hardy-Littlewood-Ramanujan method to solve Waring's problem. In 1934, Vinogradov developed a new powerful method for estimating the Weyl exponential sums that gave fundamentally stronger results in Waring's problem. In May 1937, Vinogradov solved the ternary Goldbach problem: any sufficiently large odd integer can be represented by a sum of three primes. In the same year, he developed a method for estimating exponential sums over primes, which allowed him to solve the Goldbach-Waring problem and a number of other additive problems with primes. In 1951, Vinogradov developed a new elementary method, which he applied to the problem of distribution of higher power residues and nonresidues modulo a prime number and to the problem of estimating sums over primes. In 1953, Vinogradov found estimates for short sums of nonprincipal Dirichlet characters over a sequence of ``shifted'' prime numbers. In 1957, Vinogradov found a new estimate for the Riemann zeta-function on the unit line, which yielded a new zero-free region for this function and thus a new error term in the asymptotic formula for the number of primes that do not exceed a given bound. In 1963, he obtained a significantly more accurate formula for the error term in the asymptotic formula for the number of integer points in a sphere. Vinogradov summarized his scientific achievements in the monographs [``Special variants of the method of trigonometric sums'' (1976; Zbl 0429.10023), ``The method of trigonometric sums in number theory'' (1980; Zbl 0561.10017)] (see also [``The method of trigonometric sums in number theory.'' Tr. Mat. Inst. Steklova 168, 4--30 (1984; Zbl 0549.10027)]). This very informative survey is divided into three sections (stating the main theorems explicitly): 1. Vinogradov's method (the numbers in brackets refer to the article's bibliography). 1.1. Integer points in domains. Estimates for the sums of fractional parts of a function in terms of its second derivative (1917--1918) [14,15]. 1.2. The Pólya-Vinogradov inequality. Theorems on the least power nonresidue and primitive roots modulo a prime number (1918, 1925--1927) [16, 18--20]. 1.3. Weyl sums in Waring's problem. 1.4. Weyl exponential sums and the ``Hardy-Littlewood circle method'' in Waring's problem (1928) [21]. 1.5. ``Smoothing method'' for double sums. Vinogradov's ``telescopic system'' of numbers. The main idea of solution of the ``ternary problem.'' The Hardy function \(G(n)\) in Waring's problem (1934) [22--25]. 1.6. Generalized Vinogradov's ``telescopic system'' (theorem on hittings). Vinogradov's mean value theorem (1935) [26]. 1.7. The ternary Goldbach problem (1937) [27]. 1.8. Sieve methods. Estimates for Weyl sums over primes (1939) [28]. 1.9. Sums of Dirichlet characters over ``shifted'' primes (1976) [33]. 1.10. Elementary methods in number theory (1925, 1976) [18, 33]. 1.11. Estimate for the absolute value of the Riemann zeta function near the critical line. 1.12. The ``sphere'' problem (1976) [33]. 2. Applications of Vinogradov's method. 2.1. Mean value theorem for multiple exponential sums and estimates for these sums. 2.2. Hua Loo-Keng's problem on the convergence exponent of the singular integral in Tarry's problem. 2.3. The Hilbert-Kamke problem and the Artin problem on the representation of zero by a form. 2.4. Estimates for multiple exponential sums over primes. 2.5. A version of Vinogradov's elementary method. 3. Vinogradov and the Steklov Institute. ``Vinogradov was the director of the Steklov Institute during nearly 50 years almost from the very foundation of the institute (except for the wartime period, when this post was held by S.L. Sobolev). Vinogradov was a very forceful director and left a strong personal mark on the development of the institute.'' (from Shafarevich's impressions as to the impact of Vinogradov on the mathematical life in the USSR)