Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
1. Statement of problem and the method of Barnes and Swinnnerton-Dyer. 1·1. Let ξ1, ξ2, … ξn De n real, homogeneous linear forms in the real variables x1, x2,…, xn and of determinant Δ ǂ 0. Let y1 y2, …, yn be any real numbers. We identify the n-tuplet (x1 x2, …, xn) with the point P, coordinates (x1, x2, …, xn), of n-dimensional space.We write P≡P0 (mod 1) if x1≡y1, x2≡y2, …, xn≡yn (mod 1), and P0 is the point (y1, …, yn).
This paper and the succeeding one, referred to as II, are shortended versions of chapters of the author's Ph.D. thesis (1953). This thesis itself is available in the University Library, Cambridge.