The 4-rank of class groups of K(\sqrt{n})

Abstract: Let

K / m a t h b b Q

be a quadratic extension. In this paper we study the

4

-rank of the class group

e x t C l (K (s q r t n))

, where

n

varies over squarefree rational integers. We show that for

100 %

of squarefree

n

, the

4

-rank is given by an explicit formula involving the

2

-rank of

e x t C l (K)

and the number of prime factors of

n

which are inert in

K / m a t h b b Q

.

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