Lattice points in vector-dilated polytopes

Abstract

For $A\in {\mathbb{Z}}^{m\times n}$ we investigate the behaviour of the number of lattice points in $P_A(b)=\{x\in {\mathbb{R}}^n:Ax\le b\}$, depending on the varying vector $b$. It is known that this number, restricted to a cone of constant combinatorial type of $P_A(b)$, is a quasi-polynomial function if b is an integral vector. We extend this result to rational vectors $b$ and show that the coefficients themselves are piecewise-defined polynomials. To this end, we use a theorem of McMullen on lattice points in Minkowski-sums of rational dilates of rational polytopes and take a closer look at the coefficients appearing there.

16 pages