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Comparison theorems for closed geodesics on negatively curved surfaces

In this note we present new asymptotic estimates comparing the word length and geodesic length of closed geodesics on surfaces with (variable) negative sectional curvatures. In particular, we provide an averaged comparison of these two important quantities and obtain precise statistical results, including a central limit theorem and a local limit theorem. Further, as a corollary we also improve an asymptotic formula of R. Sharp and the second author. Finally, we relate our results to recent work of Gekhtman, Taylor and Tiozzo.