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.
"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
Innehållsförteckning
1. Introduction and Historical Survey.- 2. Transcendence Proofs in One Variable.- 3. Heights of Algebraic Numbers.- 4. The Criterion of Schneider-Lang.- 5. Zero Estimate, by Damien Roy.- 6. Linear Independence of Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers.- 7. Homogeneous Measures of Linear Independence.- 8. Multiplicity Estimates, by Damien Roy.- 9. Refined Measures.- 10. On Baker’s Method.- 11. Points Whose Coordinates are Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers.- 12. Lower Bounds for the Rank of Matrices.- 13. A Quantitative Version of the Linear Subgroup Theorem.- 14. Applications to Diophantine Approximation.- 15. Algebraic Independence.- References.