Classical values of Zeta, as simple as possible but not simpler

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Holtz, Olga
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Holtz, Olga
author_facet Holtz, Olga
contents This short note for non-experts means to demystify the tasks of evaluating the Riemann Zeta Function at non-positive integers and at even natural numbers, both initially performed by Leonhard Euler. Treading in the footsteps of G. H. Hardy and others, I re-examine Euler's work on the functional equation for the Zeta function, and explain how both the functional equation and all `classical' integer values can be obtained in one sweep using only Euler's favorite method of generating functions. As a counter-point, I also present an even simpler argument essentially due to Bernhard Riemann, which however requires Cauchy's residue theorem, a result not yet available to Euler. As a final point, I endeavor to clarify how these two methods are organically linked and can be taught as an intuitive gateway into the world of Zeta functionology.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2308_11637
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Classical values of Zeta, as simple as possible but not simpler
Holtz, Olga
History and Overview
Combinatorics
Complex Variables
Number Theory
11M06, 11Y35, 11Y70, 05A15, 01A50, 01A55, 01A70
This short note for non-experts means to demystify the tasks of evaluating the Riemann Zeta Function at non-positive integers and at even natural numbers, both initially performed by Leonhard Euler. Treading in the footsteps of G. H. Hardy and others, I re-examine Euler's work on the functional equation for the Zeta function, and explain how both the functional equation and all `classical' integer values can be obtained in one sweep using only Euler's favorite method of generating functions. As a counter-point, I also present an even simpler argument essentially due to Bernhard Riemann, which however requires Cauchy's residue theorem, a result not yet available to Euler. As a final point, I endeavor to clarify how these two methods are organically linked and can be taught as an intuitive gateway into the world of Zeta functionology.
title Classical values of Zeta, as simple as possible but not simpler
topic History and Overview
Combinatorics
Complex Variables
Number Theory
11M06, 11Y35, 11Y70, 05A15, 01A50, 01A55, 01A70
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.11637