Numerical approximation to \(\zeta (2n+1)\) (Q2499801)

Finding approximations of the Riemann zeta function at odd integers \(\geq 3\) by means of rapidly converging series may be important in proving irrationality of these numbers. Having this in mind the authors prove that for every integer \(n\geq 1\) there is a rational number \(A_n\) such that \[ \zeta(2n+1)=\alpha_n\left[ A_n-\frac{2n+1}{2}\left(\log\frac{3}{2} + 2^{-2n}\log\frac{1}{2}\right) + Z_n \right], \] where \[ \alpha_n=\frac{(-1)^{n+1}2^{2n+2}\pi^{2n}}{(1-2^{-2n})(2n+1)!} \] and \[ Z_n=\sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\left[(\zeta(2r)-1)(2^{2r}-1)\int_0^{\infty} B_{2n+1}(t)t^{2r-1}\, dt\right]. \] An explicit formula for \(A_n\) in terms of integrals involving Bernoulli polynomials as well as an estimate of the rate of convergence of the series defining \(Z_n\) are also given. Unfortunately, no conclusions concerning the arithmetic nature of \(\zeta(2n+1)\) are driven from the above formulae.