The reciprocity theorem for Dedekind sums

Let \(((x)) = x - [x] - \tfrac12\) where \([x]\) denotes the integral part of \(x\). Define the Dedekind sum \(S(h, k)\) by \[ S(h, k) = \sum_{r\pmod k} \left(\left(\frac{r}{k}\right)\right) \left(\left(\frac{rh}{k}\right)\right). \] Dedekind and later various authors proved the reciprocity formula \[ 12hk (S(h, k) + S(k, h)) = h^2 + 3kh + k^2 + 1 \tag{*} \] for the coprime integers \(h\), \(k\). The author obtains a very simple proof of this formula in the following manner. Firstly \[ \left(\left(\frac{r}{k}\right)\right) = -\frac1{2k} + \frac1{k} \sum_{s=1}^{k-1} \frac{\rho^{-ks}}{\rho^s -1} \] where \(\rho = e^{2\pi i/k}\); (proof: invert \[ \sum_{r=0}^{k-1}\left(\left(\frac{r}{k}\right)\right) \rho^{-ks} = \frac1{\rho^2 - 1}\text{ or } -\frac12 \text{ according as } k\nmid s \text{ or }k\mid s). \] Secondly, \[ S(h, k) = \frac1{4k} + \frac1{k} \sum_{\xi \ne 1} \frac1{(\xi^{-1} - 1)(\xi^h - 1)} \] where \(\xi\) runs through all the complex roots of \(x^k - 1\) (trivial). Thirdly, \[ \frac{x - 1}{(x^k - 1) (x^h - 1)} = \frac1{k} \sum_{\xi \ne 1} \frac{\xi(\xi - 1)}{(x - \xi)(\xi^h - 1)} + \frac1{h}\sum_{\eta \ne 1} \frac{\eta(\eta - 1)}{(x - \eta)(\eta^k - 1)} + \frac1{kh(x - 1)} \] (proof again trivial). Finally put \(x = 1 + t\) and expand in powers of \(t\). Comparison of coefficients of \(t\) gives the results (*). The author obtains also in the same manner a proof of the reciprocity formula for the generalized Dedekind sum studied by \textit{T. M. Apostol} [Pac. J. Math. 2, 1--9 (1952; Zbl 0047.04502)].

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