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Question. Can this number be expressed in terms of classical values? $$\sum_{n,m=1}^{\infty}\frac1{(n^2+m^2)^{\frac32}}=1.056348517615643291\dots$$

UPDATE. I'm encouraged by Noam, Kevin and Igor's directional replies. To spice things up, I ask: is this true? $$\sum_{n,m=1}^{\infty}\frac1{(n^2+m^2)^s}=\zeta(s)\beta(s)-\zeta(2s),$$ wherever convergence occurs. Here, $\zeta(s)$ and $\beta(s)$ are the Riemann zeta and Dirichlet beta functions, respectively.

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    $\begingroup$ I don't know how the OP computed it, but if you multiply each term by $(-1)^{m+n}$ you get an elementary multiple of the same sum that can be computed using altsum recursively. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 21:24
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    $\begingroup$ [Correction: this requires first adding $\zeta(3)$ to get the sum over $m>0$. Also: that makes it the value at $3/2$ of the zeta function for the Gaussian numbers, and it is known that such values can be computed efficiently. In GP: zetak(zetakinit(x^2+1),3/2) - zeta(3) . Or, using the factorization into the product of Riemann zeta and Dirichlet L: zeta(3/2)*sumalt(n=0,(-1)^n/(2*n+1)^(3/2)) - zeta(3) ] $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 21:49
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    $\begingroup$ @NoamD.Elkies : you should upgrade your pari set-up; zetakinit doesn't exist any more (you would rather have fresh new bugs than old fixed ones, right?) $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 22:14
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    $\begingroup$ @T.Amdeberhan why do you say you "claim" that formula for general $s$ instead of just saying it is true? Instead of writing $\beta(s)$ in the formula it would be more standard (at least within number theory) to call it $L(s,\chi_4)$ where $\chi_4$ is the nontrivial character modulo 4. $\endgroup$
    – KConrad
    Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 22:21
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    $\begingroup$ @T.Amdeberhan yes, your claim is true, and a relatively simple proof goes via interpreting the product of Riemann zeta and Dirichlet beta as the Dedekind zeta function of the Gaussian integers. Beat that for mathematician-name-dropping in one sentence! It's what Noam has been saying all along in fact. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 22:25

4 Answers 4

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I don't know how "classical" you find these values, but here's perhaps something.

Define $E=\sum_{m,n\in\mathbb{Z}}q^{m^2+n^2}$, which is known to be a weight 1 level 4 modular form. In fact $E$ is an eigenform for the Hecke operators, and if we write $E=\sum_{r\geq0}a_rq^r$ then $L(E,s)=\sum_{r\geq1}a_r/r^s$ equals $4\zeta(s)L(\chi,s)$ with $\chi$ the Dirichlet character of conductor 4. The factor of 4 is because $E$ is normalised so that $a_1=4$. Note that $a_r$ equals the number of ways $r$ can be written as $m^2+n^2$ (where we allow zero and negative values for $m$ and $n$ at this point). Note also that the $L$-function doesn't see the troublesome $m=n=0$ term.

Now note that setting $s=3/2$ (where everything converges) we get $L(E,3/2)$ is nearly what you want. In fact if your constant is $c$ then (allowing for signs) we get

$$4c+4\sum_{n\geq1}(1/n^2)^{3/2}=L(E,3/2)$$

($4c$ for the signs, and the other term for the $m=0$ and $n=0$ terms we missed out) and all the 4s cancel miraculously giving

$c=\zeta(3/2)L(\chi,3/2)-\zeta(3)$

or equivalently

$c=\zeta_{\mathbb{Q}(i)}(3/2)-\zeta(3)$

with $\zeta_{\mathbb{Q}(i)}$ the Dedekind zeta function of the number field. Let's check with pari-gp:

L=lfuncreate(x^2+1);
lfun(L,3/2)-zeta(3)

%2 = 1.0563485176156432910328906583178146441

which looks good to me.

Note finally that now I've done the calculation I realise that one could avoid the modular forms side of things and just consider the zeta function of $\mathbb{Q}(i)$ directly because we're summing some function of norms of elements; the final equation for $c$ follows essentially from the definition of the Dedekind $\zeta$ function.

Hmm, and now note finally finally that while I was typing this, Noam Elkies said exactly the same thing but rather more succinctly :-)

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  • $\begingroup$ This is cool, indeed. Thanks also to Noam. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 22:32
  • $\begingroup$ @Kevin Buzzard, this series is classical. It has been calculated in 1871 by L. Lorenz. I gave an answer below. There is also a classic textbook on lattice sums. $\endgroup$
    – Nemo
    Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 18:08
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This is (almost) rehashing what has been said but with an intent to spell things out.

Begin with the observation that $$\sum_{n,m=1}^{\infty}\frac1{(n^2+m^2)^s}=\frac14\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{r_2(k)}{k^s}-\zeta(2s).$$ Using $r_2(k)=4\sum_{d\vert k}\left(\frac{-4}k\right)=4(1*\left(\frac{-4}k\right))(k)$, where $\left(\frac{a}b\right)$ is the Jacobi symbol, and $\left(\frac{-4}{2k}\right)=0, \left(\frac{-4}{2k+1}\right)=(-1)^k$, while the Dirichlet series evolves under the arithmetic convolution, i.e., $\sum\frac{(a*b)(k)}{k^s}=\sum\frac{a(k)}{k^s}\sum\frac{b(k)}{k^s}$, it follows that \begin{align}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{r_2(k)}{k^s} &=4\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{(1*\left(\frac{-4}k\right))(k)}{k^s} =4\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac1{n^s}\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{\left(\frac{-4}k\right)(k)}{k^s} \\ &=4\zeta(s)\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k}{(2k+1)^s}=4\zeta(s)\beta(s). \end{align}

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    $\begingroup$ Yes -- this is an explanation of my claim that $L(E,s)=4\zeta(s)\beta(s)$. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2017 at 22:47
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Exhaustive analysis of lattice sums can be found in the book Lattice sums then and now. This book can be found for free on the web.

OP's sum is given by formula 1.3.14 on page 33:enter image description here

L. Lorenz. Bidrag tiltalienes theori. Tidsskrift Math., 1:97–114, 1871.

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    $\begingroup$ While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 11:57
  • $\begingroup$ @AndrásBátkai , Igor Rivin gave answer in the same manner. Why didn't you wrote this comment to his answer? $\endgroup$
    – Nemo
    Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 12:09
  • $\begingroup$ Also if the linked page changes then one still will be able to find the book by its title. I don't see any problem here. $\endgroup$
    – Nemo
    Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 12:34
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    $\begingroup$ Igor's answer, while it could be made better along these lines, at least points to an online article that isn't behind a paywall, and was specific enough to know where in the paper to turn to (the first section), while also connecting with other answers/comments. Usually just referring to an entire book isn't so useful. Perhaps you could quote a precise result in the book that answers the question, and include a page number? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 12:46
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    $\begingroup$ Thanks for your addition, Nemo; that's very helpful. I am of course aware of "where to look", but that's not something we can point to directly here without potential trouble. Your original link seems to be to a vendor, but anyway your current answer is a big improvement; +1. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2017 at 18:58
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To give yet a third version of Kevin and Noam's answer, check out Paul Garett's notes where he shows how to factorize the Zeta function of the Gaussian integers.

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