Riemann zeta function

noun

The function ζ defined by the Dirichlet series ζ(s)=∑ₙ₌₁ ᪲1/(nˢ)=1/(1ˢ)+1/(2ˢ)+1/(3ˢ)+1/(4ˢ)+⋯, which is summable for points s in the complex half-plane with real part > 1; the analytic continuation of said function, being a holomorphic function defined on the complex numbers with pole at 1.

Similar
Euler–Riemann zeta function

Meanings

nounRiemann zeta function (usually uncountable, plural Riemann zeta functions)

plural Riemann zeta functions · alternative Riemann zeta-function · alternative Riemann's zeta function

  1. uncountableusuallyanalytic number theoryThe function ζ defined by the Dirichlet series ζ(s)=∑ₙ₌₁ ᪲1/(nˢ)=1/(1ˢ)+1/(2ˢ)+1/(3ˢ)+1/(4ˢ)+⋯, which is summable for points s in the complex half-plane with real part > 1; the analytic continuation of said function, being a holomorphic function defined on the complex numbers with pole at 1.

    It is straightforward to show that the Riemann zeta function has zeros at the negative even integers and these are called the trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function.

    2004, Paula B. Cohen, “Interactions between number theory and operator algebras in the study of the Riemann zeta function (d'apres Bost-Connes and Connes)”, in David Chudnovsky, Gregory Chudnovsky, Melvyn Bernard Nathanson, editors, Number Theory: New York Seminar 2003, Springer,, page 87
    2 more examples

    The Riemann zeta-function (which has no relation to the Weierstrass function of Chapter 8, and must not be confused with it) was originally of interest because of its connection with number theory. Since then it has served as the model for a proliferation of "zeta-functions" throughout mathematics. Some mention of the Riemann zeta-function, and treatment of the prime number theorem as an asymptotic result have become a topic treated by writers of introductory texts in complex variables.

    2008, Sanford L. Segal, Nine Introductions in Complex Analysis, Revised edition, Elsevier (North-Holland), page 397

    2009, Arthur T. Benjamin, Ezra Brown (editors), Biscuits of Number Theory, Mathematical Association of America, page 195, The Riemann zeta function is the function ζ(s)=∑ₙ₌₁ ᪲n⁻ˢ for s a complex number whose real part is greater than 1. […] The historical moments include Euler's proof that there are infinitely many primes, in which he proves ζ(s)=∏ₚₚᵣᵢₘₑ(1-1/(pˢ))⁻¹ as well as Riemann's statement of his hypothesis and several others. Beineke and Hughes then define the moment of the modulus of the Riemann zeta function by I_k(T)=1/T∫₀ ᪲|ζ(1/2+it)|²ᵏdt and take us through the work of several mathematicians on properties of the second and fourth moments.

    Synonyms: Euler–Riemann zeta function

  2. countableusuallyA usage of (a specified value of) the Riemann zeta function, such as in an equation.

    Page 203 is an isolated page on which Ramanujan evaluates six quotients of either Riemann zeta functions or L-functions.

    2013, George E. Andrews, Bruce C. Berndt, Ramanujan's Lost Notebook: Part IV, Springer, page 367
    2 more examples

    2005, Jay Jorgenson, Serge Lang, Posₙ(R) and Eisenstein Series, Springer, Lecture Notes in Mathematics 1868, page 134, When the eigenfunctions are characters, these eigenvalues are respectively polynomials, products of ordinary gamma functions, and products of Riemann zeta functions, with the appropriate complex variables.

    The ubiquity of the heat kernels is demonstrated in Sections 9 and 10 by constructing, respectively, the Green functions and the Riemann zeta functions for the Laplacians on compact Lie groups. The Riemann zeta function of the Laplacian on a compact Lie group is the Mellin transform of the regularized trace of the heat kernel, and we express the Riemann zeta function in terms of the eigenvalues of the Laplacian. Issues on the regions of convergence of the series defining the Riemann zeta functions are beyond the scope of this paper and hence omitted.

    2007, M. W. Wong, “Weyl Transforms, Heat Kernels, Green Function and Riemann Zeta Functions on Compact Lie Groups”, in Joachim Toft, M. W. Wong, Hongmei Zhu, editors, Modern Trends in Pseudo-Differential Operators, Springer,, page 68

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe function ζ defined by the Dirichlet series ζ(s)=∑ₙ₌₁ ᪲1/(nˢ)=1/(1ˢ)+1/(2ˢ)+1/(3ˢ)+1/(4ˢ)+⋯, which is summable for points s in the complex half-plane with real part > 1; the analytic continuation of said function, being a holomorphic function defined on the complex numbers with pole at 1.

Similar
Euler–Riemann zeta function

Origin

Named after German mathematician Bernhard Riemann.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 黎曼ζ函數 /黎曼ζ函数
  • 黎曼ζ函數 /黎曼ζ函数 (Límàn zétǎ hánshù)analytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Dutch Riemann-zeta-functie
  • Riemann-zeta-functieanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
German riemannsche ζ-Funktion, riemannsche Zeta-Funktion
  • riemannsche ζ-Funktionanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
  • riemannsche Zeta-Funktionanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
  • riemannsche Zetafunktionanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Italian funzione zeta di Riemann
  • funzione zeta di Riemannanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Polish funkcja dzeta Riemanna
  • funkcja dzeta Riemannaanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Spanish función zeta de Riemann
  • función zeta de Riemannanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Turkish Riemann zeta fonksiyonu
  • Riemann zeta fonksiyonuanalytic continuation of a function defined as the sum of a Dirichlet series
Cite this entry
APA

Riemann zeta function. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Riemann%20zeta%20function

MLA

“Riemann zeta function.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Riemann%20zeta%20function. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Riemann zeta function,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Riemann%20zeta%20function.

Source: Riemann zeta function on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.