The error-sum function of continued fractions (Q5935903)

Let \(a_j\) be the partial quotients and \(p_j/q_j\) the convergents in the simple continued fraction expansion of a real number \(x\). The authors investigate the error-sum function of continued fractions, which they define by the formula \(P(x)=\sum^\infty_{j=0} (q_jx-p_j)\). For rational \(x\) the series terminates, and the expansion \(x=[a_0,a_1, \dots,a_n]\) is chosen such that \(a_n> 1\). We quote some of the results: The function \(P\) is periodic with period 1, it maps the interval (0,1) onto itself, and here it satisfies \(P(x)+P (1-x)= \max\{x,1-x\}\). It is continuous at every irrational point, right semi-continuous at a rational point \(x\) if \(n\) is even, left semi-continuous at a rational point \(x\) if \(n\) is odd. The graph of \(P\) has a fractal appearance, its Hausdorff dimension is \(\leq{3\over 2}\). The function \(P\) maps the set of irrationals onto the whole interval \((0,1)\). If \(x\) is irrational and \(P(x)\) is rational then the set of \(a_j\) is bounded. We have \(\int^1_0 P(x) dx={3\over 8}\), and the Fourier cosine coefficients of \(P\) can easily be computed. All the proofs are elementary.