The Primary Role of Modular Equations

  • Harvey Cohn

Abstract

Recent developments indicate that the modular equation, historically the end product of modular function theory, should be considered as a starting point. For instance, while a Fourier series for a modular function has coefficients which determine a modular equation, conversely, modular functions are also determined by a modular equation. It is therefore of interest to ask what are the a priori determining features of a modular equation. Some features are revealed for the classic (one variable) case relating to normality of the parametrization. Other features are revealed for the Hilbert (two variable) case relating to the diagonals. A complete answer is still elusive, but a reasonable goal would be to find singular moduli directly (without modular invariants).

Key words and phrases

Klein and Hecke modular functions modular equations Hilbert modular equations 

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • Harvey Cohn
    • 1
  1. 1.Department o MathematicsCity College (CUNY)New YorkUSA

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