Real Quadratic Fields
The contrasting case of real quadratic fields is very different, and much less is known. That is because what enters the analytic formula for the class number is not h, the class number, on its own — but h log ε, where ε is a fundamental unit. This extra factor is hard to control. It may well be the case that class number 1 for real quadratic fields occurs infinitely often.
The Cohen-Lenstra heuristics are a set of more precise conjectures about the structure of class groups of quadratic fields. For real fields they predict that about 75.446% will have class number 1, a result that agrees with computations.
Read more about this topic: Class Number Problem
Famous quotes containing the words real and/or fields:
“Skill sheets, workbooks, basal reader, flash cards are not enough. To convey meaning you need someone sharing the meaning and flavor of real stories with the student.”
—Jim Trelease (20th century)
“This scene was supposed to be in a saloon, but the censor cut it out. It’ll play just as well.”
—Otis Criblecoblis, U.S. screenwriter. W.C. Fields (W.C. Fields)