On \(\zeta(3)\) (Q2765409)

R. Apéry proved in 1979 that \(\zeta(3)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty n^{-3}\) is irrational [Astérisque 61, 11-13 (1979; Zbl 0401.10049)]. In the paper under review the authors obtain the formula NEWLINE\[NEWLINE \zeta(3)={8\pi^2\over 7}\left\{{\log 2\over 4}-{1\over 8} +\sum_{m=1}^\infty {\zeta(2m)\over (m+1)4^{m+1}}\right\};NEWLINE\]NEWLINE the proof depends on an old formula of Euler. Furthermore, the authors give another expression for the appearing infinite series as a special value of a triple sine function. Actually, they prove NEWLINE\[NEWLINE\zeta(3)={8\pi^2\over 7}\log\left(2^{1/4}S_3(1/2)^{-1}\right),\quad \text{where}\quad S_3(x)=e^{x^2/2}\prod_{n=1}^\infty\left(1-{x^2\over n^2}\right)^{n^2}e^{x^2}.NEWLINE\]NEWLINE The value \(S_3(1/2)\) is expected to be algebraic; it might be interpreted as the Mahler measure or the entropy of the associated dynamical system.