Synopses & Reviews
The theory of transcendental numbers is closely related to the study of diophantine approximation. This book deals with values of the usual exponential function ez: a central open problem is the conjecture on algebraic independence of logarithms of algebraic numbers. Two chapters provide complete and simplified proofs of zero estimates (due to Philippon) on linear algebraic groups.
Review
"The present book is very nice to read, and gives a comprehensive overview of one wide aspect of Diophantine approximation. It includes the main achievements of the last several years, and points out the most interesting open questions. Moreover, each chapter is followed by numerous exercises, which provide an interesting complement of the main text. Many of them are adapted from original papers. Solutions are not given; however, there are helpful hints. This book is of great interest not only for experts in the field; it should also be recommended to anyone willing to have a taste of transcendental number theory. Undoubtedly, it will be very useful for anyone preparing a post-graduate course on Diophantine approximation."--MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Historical Survey Part I. Linear Independence of Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers 2. Transcendence Proofs in One Variable 3. Heights of Algebraic Numbers 4. The Criterion of Schneider-Lang 5. Zero Estimate 6. Linear Independence of Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers Part II. Measures of Linear Independence 7. A First Measure with a Simple Proof 8. Zero Estimate (Continued), by Damien ROY 9. Refined Measure III. Multiplicities in Higher Dimension 10. Multiplicity Estimates, by Damien ROY 11. Interpolation Determinants with One Derivative 12. On Baker's Method Part IV. The Linear Subgroup Theorem 13. Points Whose Coordinates are Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers 14. Lower Bounds for the Rank of Matrices Part V. Simultaneous Approximation of Values of the Exponential Function in Several Variables 15. A Quantitative Version of the Linear Subgroup Theorem 16. Applications to Diophantine Approximation 17. Algebraic Independence References