Small representations of integers by integral quadratic forms

Abstract

Given an isotropic quadratic form over a number field which assumes a value $t$, we investigate the distribution of points at which this value is assumed. Building on the previous work about the distribution of small-height zeros of quadratic forms, we produce bounds on height of points outside of some algebraic sets in a quadratic space at which the form assumes the value $t$. Our bounds on height are explicit in terms of the heights of the form, the space, the algebraic set and the value $t$.

11 pages; to appear in Journal of Number Theory