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Y. Zhao
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Integral quaternary forms and theta functions

The following question arises when I attempt to understand the modular parameterization of the elliptic curve $$E:y^2-y=x^3-x$$

In Mazur-Swinnerton-Dyer and Zagier's construction, a theta function associated with a positive definite quadratic form is induced:

$$\theta(q)=\sum_{x\in\mathbb{Z}^4}q^{\frac{1}{2}x^{T}Ax}$$

where $$A=\left(\begin{matrix}2 & 0 & 1 & 1\\ 0 & 4 & 1 &2\\ 1 & 1 & 10 & 1\\ 1 & 2 & 1 & 20 \end{matrix}\right)$$

$A$ is a positive definite matrix of determinant $37^2$, and we have $37A^{-1}=K^TAK$ where $K$ is an integral matrix of determinant $\pm 1$.

Question: Suppose $A$ is a positive definite matrix with integral entries. All diagonal entries are even numbers. The determinant of $A$ is a square number $N^2$. Is it true that for every $N>1$, there is $A$ that $NA^{-1}=K^TAK$, where $K$ is an integral matrix of determinant $\pm 1$?

Y. Zhao
  • 3.3k
  • 21
  • 29