Positive values of non-homogeneous indefinite quadratic forms of type (1,4) (Q5906607)

Let \(Q(x_ 1,\dots, x_ n)\) be a real indefinite quadratic form in \(n\) variables of type \((r,n-r)\) and determinant \(D\neq 0\). \textit{H. Blaney} [J. Lond. Math. Soc. 23, 153-160 (1948; Zbl 0031.20404)] has shown that there exist real numbers \(\Gamma\), independent of \(Q\) and depending only on \(n\) and \(r\), such that given any real numbers \(c_ 1,\dots, c_ n\) there exist \((x_ 1,\dots, x_ n)\equiv (c_ 1,\dots, c_ n)\pmod 1\) such that \[ 0< Q(x_ 1,\dots, x_ n)\leq (\Gamma| D|)^{1/n}. \] Let \(\Gamma_{r,n-r}\) denote the infimum of all such numbers \(\Gamma\). All the values of \(\Gamma_{r,n-r}\) are known except for \(\Gamma_{2,4}\) and \(\Gamma_{1,4}\). For the history of the problem see the authors' paper [J. Number Theory 48, 1-35 (1994; reviewed above)]. \(\Gamma_{2,4}={64 \over 3}\) has been obtained by the authors and \textit{R. J. Hans-Gill} [to appear in J. Number Theory]. The exact value of \(\Gamma_{1,4}\) is still unknown. From the work of \textit{T. H. Jackson} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 3, 47-58 (1971; Zbl 0215.348)] it follows that \(\Gamma_{1,4}\leq 32\). It is conjectured that \(\Gamma_{1,4} =8\). In this paper it is shown that \[ 8\leq \Gamma_{1,4}\leq 16. \]