On evaluation of \(L\)-functions over real quadratic fields (Q2367477)

Let \(K/F\) be an imaginary quadratic extension of a real quadratic field \(F\), and let \(\chi\) be the corresponding quadratic character. Making use of Shintani's formula for the special values at the non-positive integers of an \(L\)-function of \(F\), the author develops an algorithm for evaluating the special values \(L(1-m,\chi)\), \(m\geq 1\), \(m\in\mathbb{Z}\). When combined with an effective evaluation of the number of roots of unity in \(K\) and of the index \([E_ F:N_{N/F}E_ K]\), where \(E_ L\) denotes the group of units of a number field \(L\), this algorithm allows to compute the relative class number of \(K/F\). Results of these computations for 29 base fields of \(F\) and their extensions \(K\) with \(N\theta_ K<100\), where \(\theta_ K\) denotes the conductor of \(K/F\), are summarised in the author's tables.