Counting Representations of Quadratic Forms

Abstract

We answer a question of C. S. Herz about the number of integral $k\times m$ matrices $T$ such that $T^{t}T\le R$ for a fixed positive definite $m\times m$ matrix $R$. We give an asymptotic formula for the count. This can be seen as a generalization of the Gauss circle problem, as counting representation of quadratic forms by the identity $I_k$, and as counting integral points bounded by the Stiefel manifold $T^{t}T=R$. The main tool is a bound for Bessel functions of matrix argument that was proved over Jordan algebras.

12 pages