What is the probability that a random integral quadratic form in nn variables is isotropic?

preprint2015arXivOpen access

Abstract

We show that the density of quadratic forms in nn variables over Zp{\mathbb Z}_p that are isotropic is a rational function in pp, where the rational function is independent of pp, and we determine this rational function explicitly. As a consequence, for each nn, we determine the probability that a random integral quadratic form in nn variables is isotropic. In particular, we show that the probability that a random integral quaternary quadratic form is isotropic is ≈97.0%\approx 97.0\%, in the case where the coefficients of the quadratic form are independently and uniformly distributed in the range [−X,X][-X,X] with X→∞X\to\infty. When random integral quaternary quadratic forms are chosen with respect to the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE), the probability of isotropy increases to ≈98.3%\approx 98.3\%.

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