Positive values of non-homogeneous indefinite quadratic forms of type (1, 4)

Abstract

Let Г_r,n—r denote the infimum of all number Г > 0 such that for any real indefinite quadratic form inn variables of type (r, n—r), determinantD ≠ 0 and real numbers c₁; c₂,…, c_n, there exist integersx ₁,x₂,…,x_n satisfying 0 < Q(x₁+c₁,x₂ + c₂,…,x_n + c_n) ≤(Г¦Z > ¦)^1/n. All the values of Г_r,n—r are known except for г_1,4. Earlier it was shown that 8 ≤Г_1,4 ≤16. Here we improve the upper bound to get Г_1,4 < 12.