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A theorem of Minkowski on the product of two linear forms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

J. H. H. Chalk
Affiliation:
Bedford CollegeLondon, N.W.1

Extract

1. Let Λ denote any plane lattice of determinant Δ ╪ 0. Then it is well known that the region

contains a pair of generating points of Λ; and that, unless the lattice Λ is of the special form

where both α│β, γ│δ are rational, there are an infinity of such pairs in the interior of the region. Minkowski (4) obtained this result by considering the ‘tangent’ parallelogram Пλ,

inscribed in the region (1). With simple geometrical arguments, he showed that

(i) Пλ always contains a point of Λ, other than 0,

(ii) if Пλ contains two primitive points of Λ then these generate Λ, except possibly when Λ has points, other than 0, on both coordinate axes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge Philosophical Society 1953

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References

REFERENCES

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