Exercise 7.19

Let F be a finite field with q elements . If f ( x ) ∈ F [ x ] has degree t , put | f | = q t . Verify the formal identity ∑ ⁡ f | f | − s = ( 1 − q 1 − s ) − 1 . The sum is over all monic polynomials.

Answers

Proof. Let U be the set of monic polynomials in 𝔽 q [ x ] , and U t the set of monic polynomials of degree t , and s ∈ ℂ . Then U = ⋃ ⁡ t ∈ ℕ U t , so

∑ f ∈ U | f | − s = ∑ t = 0 ∞ ∑ f ∈ U t | f | − s = ∑ t = 0 ∞ 1 q ts ∑ f ∈ U t 1 .

As ∑ ⁡ f ∈ U t 1 = Card ( U t ) = q t , then, for Re ( s ) > 1

∑ f ∈ U | f | − s = ∑ t = 0 ∞ 1 q t ( s − 1 ) = 1 1 − 1 q s − 1 = ( 1 − q 1 − s ) − 1 . As | 1 q t ( s − 1 ) | = 1 q t ( Re ( s ) − 1 ) , the sum is absolutely convergent for Re ( s ) > 1 . This justifies the grouping of terms in this sum.

Conclusion: if Re ( s ) > 1 ,

∑ f ∈ U | f | − s = ( 1 − q 1 − s ) − 1 ,

where U is the set of monic polynomials in 𝔽 q [ x ] . □

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2022-07-19 00:00
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