On asymmetric diophantine approximations (Q5905151)

For irrational \(x\) define \(\alpha(x)\) by the equation \[ \alpha(x) := \limsup \{(q(p - qx))^{-1}: p\in\mathbb Z, q\in\mathbb N, p - qx >0\}. \] The set of values of \(\alpha(x)\) forms an asymmetric analogue to the Lagrange spectrum. Its properties are remarkable different. We mention some results: The one-sided spectrum is a perfect set. Every point of the spectrum has uncountably many preimages. The lower Lagrange spectrum (the set of values in the interval \([sqrt{5}, 3])\) is a subset of the one-sided spectrum. These results are proved by help of semiregular continued fractions and their geometric Interpretation as a Klein polygon. This type of continued fraction has been used in algebraic geometry [see e.g. \textit{H. Cohn}, Acta Arith. 24, 261--278 (1973; Zbl 0267.10040)].