Date
Mon, 15 Oct 2012
Time
16:00 - 17:00
Location
SR1
Speaker
Lillian Pierce
Organisation
Oxford

Given a form $F(x)$, the circle method is frequently used to provide an asymptotic for the number of representations of a fixed integer $N$ by $F(x)$. However, it can also be used to prove results of a different flavor, such as showing that almost every number (in a certain sense) has at least one representation by $F(x)$. In joint work with Roger Heath-Brown, we have recently considered a 2-dimensional version of such a problem. Given two quadratic forms $Q_1$ and $Q_2$, we ask whether almost every integer (in a certain sense) is simultaneously represented by $Q_1$ and $Q_2$. Under a modest geometric assumption, we are able to prove such a result if the forms are in $5$ variables or more. In particular, we show that any two such quadratic forms must simultaneously attain prime values infinitely often. In this seminar, we will review the circle method, introduce the idea of a Kloosterman refinement, and investigate how such "almost all" results may be proved.


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