REVIEW 2 major objections 3 minor 1 cited by
Refinements of Van Hamme's (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences and two supercongruences by Swisher
T0 review · 2 major / 3 minor · reviewed 2026-08-10 · deepseek-v4-flash
Pith's one-line read This paper proves that the (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences, along with two companion congruences, hold modulo $p^4$, with the extra term governed by Euler polynomials, and derives all four from one parameter-uniform $p$-adic identity.
desk verdict Genuine p^4 refinements of two Van Hamme and two Swisher supercongruences via a clean WZ argument; the proof is sound, only presentation gaps. read the letter →
The pith
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
The reading
What carries the argument
The load-bearing object is a pair of rational hypergeometric terms $F(n,k)$ and $G(n,k)$ satisfying the telescoping identity $F(n,k-1)-F(n,k)=G(n+1,k)-G(n,k)$. Summing this identity over $n$ and $k$ collapses the original hypergeometric sum into a small number of boundary terms, displayed as equation (3.2). Those boundary terms are evaluated by lemmas that compare products of Pochhammer symbols with harmonic numbers, and the final $p^3$ coefficient is identified with the Euler polynomial $E_{p-3}(\alpha)$, defined by the generating function $2e^{xt}/(e^t+1)$, through the congruence $\sum_{k=1}^{a}(-1)^k k^{p-3}\equiv\frac{(-1)^a}{2}E_{p-3}(\alpha)\pmod p$.
What would settle it
Take $p=11$ and $\alpha=1/4$, so $a=8$; compute both sides of (1.12) modulo $11^4$ by evaluating the finite rational sum and $E_8(1/4)$ exactly (all denominators are integers below 11, hence invertible modulo $11^4$). A mismatch in the $p^3$ coefficient would refute the theorem.
Extended reading notes
Core claim
The central discovery is a single parameter-uniform congruence (Theorem 1.5). For any prime $p>3$ and any $p$-adic integer $\alpha$, writing $a=\langle-\alpha\rangle_p$ and $\alpha+a=pt$, the paper proves $$\sum_{k=0}^{M}(-1)^k(2k+\$\alpha$)\frac{(\$\alpha$)$_k^{3}$}{(1)$_k^{3}$}\equiv(-1)^a(\$\alpha$+a)+(\$\alpha$+a)^3E_{p-3}(\$\alpha$)\pmod{$p^{4}$},$$ where $M$ is either $p-1$ or $a$. The proof reduces the sum to boundary terms through a telescoping identity for a pair of rational hypergeometric terms, then evaluates those boundary terms using congruences for harmonic numbers and identities for Euler polynomials. The cases $\alpha=1/3$ and $\alpha=1/4$ in the four residue classes recover the refinements of the (E.2), (F.2) and companion supercongruences.
Load-bearing premise
The proof turns on the exact correctness of the unproved rational-function identity (3.1) and of the four harmonic-binomial identities in Lemma 2.5; if any of these has a hidden exception, the $p^4$ cancellation fails.
Editorial extensions
If this is right
- The (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences hold modulo $p^4$, with explicit corrections $\frac{p^3}{9}E_{p-3}(1/3)$ and $\frac{p^3}{16}E_{p-3}(1/4)$.
- The two companion congruences also hold modulo $p^4$, with corrections $\frac{8p^3}{9}E_{p-3}(1/3)$ and $\frac{27p^3}{16}E_{p-3}(1/4)$ in the remaining residue classes.
- For any admissible $\alpha$, the full sum and the truncated sum are congruent modulo $p^4$, so the tail of the series from $k=a+1$ to $p-1$ vanishes modulo $p^4$.
- Combining one refined congruence with another known $p^4$ congruence yields an equality modulo $p^4$ between two different truncated hypergeometric sums (equation (4.2)).
- A conjectural $q$-analogue of that equality is stated modulo $[n]\Phi_n(q)^3$ for $n\equiv1\pmod4$.
Reading between the lines
- The parameter-uniform shape of the theorem suggests that the same telescoping strategy may yield $p^4$ refinements of other entries in the classical supercongruence list by choosing $\alpha$ to match other rational parameters; the paper does not pursue these cases.
- The conjecture that the $q$-analogue holds modulo $[n]\Phi_n(q)^3$ while only the modulus $[n]\Phi_n(q)^2$ cases are known points to a gap that the proof technique of the main theorem might help close.
- A testable extension is to compute numerical values beyond modulus $p^4$ to see whether the coefficient of $p^5$ in a further refinement follows a similar Euler-polynomial pattern, which the paper's method does not address.
Formalized claims in Lean
-
Claim #1: The central discovery is a single parameter-uniform congruence (Theorem 1.5). For any prime $p>3$ and any $p$-adic integer $\alpha$, writing $a=\langle-\alpha\rangle_p$ and $\alpha+a=pt$, the paper proves $$\sum_{k=0}^{M}(-1)^k(2k+\$\alpha$)\frac{(\$\alpha$)$_k^{3}$}{(1)$_k^{3}$}\equiv(-1)^a(\$\alpha$+a)+(\$\alpha$+a)^3E_{p-3}(\$\alpha$)\pmod{$p^{4}$},$$ where $M$ is either $p-1$ or $a$. The proof
/-- @claim 1 The central discovery is a single parameter-uniform congruence (Theorem 1.5). For any prime $p>3$ and any $p$-adic integer $\alpha$, writing $a=\langle-\alpha\rangle_p$ and $\alpha+a=pt$, the paper proves $$\sum_{k=0}^{M}(-1)^k(2k+\$\alpha$)\frac{(\$\alpha$)$_k^{3}$}{(1)$_k^{3}$}\equiv(-1)^a(\$\alpha$+a)+(\$\alpha$+a)^3E_{p-3}(\$\alpha$)\pmod{$p^{4}$},$$ where $M$ is either $p-1$ or $a$. The proof -/ def central_claim : Prop :=
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. This paper proves refinements modulo p^4 of four known supercongruences for truncated hypergeometric series: Van Hamme's (E.2) and (F.2) and two later supercongruences by Swisher. The main result, Theorem 1.5, states a unified congruence for any p-adic integer α and primes p>3: both the full sum and the truncated sum over k=0,...,⟨−α⟩_p equal (−1)^a(α+a)+(α+a)^3 E_{p−3}(α) modulo p^4, where a=⟨−α⟩_p. The proof uses a WZ pair to reduce the sums to boundary terms, then applies p-adic expansions involving harmonic numbers and binomial-harmonic identities to extract the p^4 correction. Theorems 1.1–1.4 are specializations α=1/3,1/4. The paper closes with a q-congruence conjecture.
Significance. If the missing verifications are supplied, the paper is a solid contribution: it gives a common p^4 refinement for four previously independent p^3 theorems, extends Sun's WZ approach beyond the (B.2) case, and sharpens the correction terms through Euler polynomials. The main theorem is explicit and falsifiable, and its specialization yields concrete congruences suitable for numerical checking. The q-conjecture in Section 4 is a natural next step and is supported by the known mod [n]Φ_n(q)^2 results.
major comments (2)
- [Section 3, Eq. (3.1)] The WZ identity F(n,k−1)−F(n,k)=G(n+1,k)−G(n,k) is asserted as 'easily verified' without displaying the rational-function certificate. Because this identity is the sole input that converts the hypergeometric sum into boundary terms in (3.2), please provide the certificate or a complete verification, and spell out the conventions for (1)_m with m<0 in the definition of G.
- [Lemma 2.5] The four harmonic-binomial identities (2.1)–(2.4) are quoted as known or Sigma-checkable but are not proved. They are used essentially in Lemma 2.6 and Lemma 2.8 to obtain the cancellations that produce the p^4 term. Please supply proofs or exact references with theorem/equation numbers for each identity, rather than a general statement that they are automatic.
minor comments (3)
- [Section 3, proof of (1.13)] In the displayed tail-summation equality, the factor (1+p(t+1))_k should be (1+pt)_k; the subsequent argument is unaffected because only the value modulo p is used.
- [Lemma 2.6] The final congruence in the proof is labeled (mod p^2), whereas the lemma states (mod p^4); the intended meaning is that the bracketed sum is determined modulo p^2 and the factor p^3t^3 upgrades the modulus.
- [Lemma 2.2] The identity E_{2n}(0)=E_{2n}(1)=0 should specify n≥1, since E_0(0)=1.
Circularity Check
No circularity found: the proof is a self-contained WZ derivation whose inputs are independent lemmas, not the target congruence.
full rationale
Walk through the chain: Theorem 1.5 is proved by a WZ pair (F,G), identity (3.1), summation to (3.2), then Lemmas 2.3–2.8. These lemmas rely on Lehmer harmonic congruences (Lemma 2.1), Euler polynomial identities (Lemma 2.2), and harmonic-binomial identities (Lemma 2.5) attributed to Gould, Dilcher, Van Hamme, or checkable by Sigma; none of these are the target theorem or fitted to it. Self-references [6,8,9,24] in the introduction and Section 4 are contextual remarks about prior p^3 and q-versions and are not invoked in the proof of Theorem 1.5. The final appearance of E_{p-3}(α) comes from Lemma 2.2's evaluation of sum (-1)^k k^{p-3}, an independent Euler-polynomial identity, not from defining E_{p-3} via the congruence. The only unverified assertion is the rational-function WZ identity (3.1), stated as 'easily verified'; even if one wanted a certificate, an unverified algebraic identity is a correctness risk, not circularity, because it is not assumed to be the target result. No fitted input is renamed as a prediction, and no uniqueness theorem is imported. Hence score 0.
Assumptions & free parameters
assumptions (4)
- standard math Lehmer's harmonic-number congruences: H_{p-1} ≡ 0 (mod p^2) and H_{p-1}^{(2)} ≡ H_{(p-1)/2}^{(2)} ≡ 0 (mod p).
- standard math Euler polynomial identities: E_{2n}(0)=E_{2n}(1)=0, E_n(1-x)=(-1)^n E_n(x), and the finite-sum identity for ∑ (-1)^k k^m.
- standard math The four harmonic-binomial identities in Lemma 2.5, including ∑_{k=1}^n (-1)^k/(k^2 C(n,k)) = H_n^{(2)} + 2∑(-1)^k/k^2.
- ad hoc to paper The WZ telescoping identity F(n,k-1)-F(n,k) = G(n+1,k)-G(n,k) for the defined F and G.
Cite this review
Pith. "Pith review of Refinements of Van Hamme's (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences and two supercongruences by Swisher." pith.science (2026). https://pith.science/paper/W34MIO2L
@misc{pith2026250109626,
author = {Pith},
title = {Pith review of: Refinements of Van Hamme's (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences and two supercongruences by Swisher},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://pith.science/paper/W34MIO2L}},
note = {Machine review of arXiv:2501.09626}
}
abstract
In 1997, Van Hamme proposed 13 supercongruences on truncated hypergeometric series. Van Hamme's (B.2) supercongruence was first confirmed by Mortenson and received a WZ proof by Zudilin later. In 2012, using the WZ method again, Sun extended Van Hamme's (B.2) supercongruence to the modulus $p^4$ case, where $p$ is an odd prime. In this paper, by using a more general WZ pair, we generalize Hamme's (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences, as well as two supercongruences by Swisher, to the modulus $p^4$ case. Our generalizations of these supercongruences are related to Euler polynomials. We also put forward a relevant conjecture on $q$-congruences for further study.
Forward citations
Cited by 1 Pith paper
-
A q-Supercongruence Motivated by Higher-Order Generalized Lehmer-Euler Numbers
The paper proves a new q-supercongruence for a convolution-type sum of q-binomial coefficients for odd n and even α≤n.
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
Bauer, Von den Coefficienten der Reihen von Kugelfuncti onen einer Variablen, J
G. Bauer, Von den Coefficienten der Reihen von Kugelfuncti onen einer Variablen, J. Reine Angew. Math. 56 (1859), 101–121. 13
-
[2]
J.M. Borwein and P.B. Borwein, Pi and the AGM, a study in an alytic number theory and computational complexity, reprint of the 1987 original, Ca nadian Mathematical Society Series of Monographs and Advanced Texts, volume 4, John Wile y & Sons, Inc., New York, 1998
work page 1987
- [3]
-
[4]
Dilcher, Some q-series identities related to divisor functions, Discrete Math
K. Dilcher, Some q-series identities related to divisor functions, Discrete Math. 145 (1995), 83–93
work page 1995
-
[5]
Gould, Combinatorial Identities, Morgantown Prin ting and Binding Co., 1972
H.W. Gould, Combinatorial Identities, Morgantown Prin ting and Binding Co., 1972
work page 1972
-
[6]
Guo, q-Analogues of the (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences of Van Ha mme, Ra- manujan J
V.J.W. Guo, q-Analogues of the (E.2) and (F.2) supercongruences of Van Ha mme, Ra- manujan J. 49 (2019), 531–544
work page 2019
-
[7]
V.J.W. Guo, q-Supercongruences modulo the fourth power of a cyclotomic p olynomial via creative microscoping, Adv. Appl. Math. 120 (2020), Art. 10 2078
work page 2020
-
[8]
V.J.W. Guo and J.-C. Liu, Some congruences related to a co ngruence of Van Hamme, Integral Transforms Spec. Funct. 31 (2020), 221–231
work page 2020
Show all 27 references
-
[9]
Guo and W
V.J.W. Guo and W. Zudilin, A q-microscope for supercongruences, Adv. Math. 346 (2019), 329–358
2019
-
[10]
He, Some congruences on truncated hypergeometric se ries, Proc
B. He, Some congruences on truncated hypergeometric se ries, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 143 (2015), 5173–5180
2015
-
[11]
Lehmer, On congruences involving Bernoulli numbers and the quotients of Fermat and Wilson, Ann
E. Lehmer, On congruences involving Bernoulli numbers and the quotients of Fermat and Wilson, Ann. Math. 39 (1938), 350–360
1938
-
[12]
Long, Hypergeometric evaluation identities and sup ercongruences, Pacific J
L. Long, Hypergeometric evaluation identities and sup ercongruences, Pacific J. Math. 249 (2011), 405–418
2011
-
[13]
Magnus, F
W. Magnus, F. Oberhettinger and R.P. Soni, Formulas and Theorems for the Special Func- tions of Mathematical Physics (3rd edition), Springer, New York, 1966
1966
-
[14]
Mao, Proof of two supercongruences of truncated hy pergeometric series 4F3, Acta Math
G.S. Mao, Proof of two supercongruences of truncated hy pergeometric series 4F3, Acta Math. Sin. (Engl. Ser.) 40 (2024), 1015–1028
2024
-
[15]
Mortenson, A p-adic supercongruence conjecture of van Hamme, Proc
E. Mortenson, A p-adic supercongruence conjecture of van Hamme, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 136 (2008), 4321–4328
2008
-
[16]
Ramanujan, Modular equations and approximation to π , Quart
S. Ramanujan, Modular equations and approximation to π , Quart. J. Math. 45 (1914), 350–372
1914
-
[17]
Schneider, Symbolic summation assists combinatori cs, S´ em
C. Schneider, Symbolic summation assists combinatori cs, S´ em. Lothar. Combin. 56 (2007), B56b
2007
-
[18]
Sun, Super congruences and Euler numbers, Sci
Z.-W. Sun, Super congruences and Euler numbers, Sci. Ch ina Math. 54 (2011), 2509–2535
2011
-
[19]
Sun, A refinement of a congruence result by van Hamm e and Mortenson, Illinois J
Z.-W. Sun, A refinement of a congruence result by van Hamm e and Mortenson, Illinois J. Math. 56 (2012), 967–979
2012
-
[20]
Sun, Open conjectures on congruences
Z.-W. Sun, Open conjectures on congruences. J. Nanjing Univ. Math. Biquart. 36 (2019), 1–99
2019
-
[21]
Swisher, On the supercongruence conjectures of van H amme, Res
H. Swisher, On the supercongruence conjectures of van H amme, Res. Math. Sci. 2 (2015), Art. 18
2015
-
[22]
Van Hamme, Advanced problem 6407, Amer
L. Van Hamme, Advanced problem 6407, Amer. Math. Monthl y 40 (1982), 703–704. 14
1982
-
[23]
Van Hamme, Some conjectures concerning partial sums of generalized hypergeometric series, in: p-Adic functional analysis (Nijmegen, 1996), Lecture Notes in Pure and Appl
L. Van Hamme, Some conjectures concerning partial sums of generalized hypergeometric series, in: p-Adic functional analysis (Nijmegen, 1996), Lecture Notes in Pure and Appl. Math. 192, Dekker, New York, 1997, pp. 223–236
1996
-
[24]
Wang and Z.-W
C. Wang and Z.-W. Sun, p-Adic analogues of hypergeometric identities and their ap- plications, Nanjing Univ. J. Math. Biquarterly 41 (2024), n o. 1, 34–56. (See also arXiv:1910.06856)
2024 arXiv
-
[25]
Wilf and D
H.S. Wilf and D. Zeilberger, An algorithmic proof theor y for hypergeometric (ordinary and “q”) multisum/integral identities, Invent. Math. 108 (1992) , 575–633
1992
-
[26]
Wilf and D
H.S. Wilf and D. Zeilberger, Rational function certific ation of multisum/integral/“ q” iden- tities, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. (N.S.), 27 (1992), 148–153
1992
-
[27]
Zudilin, Ramanujan-type supercongruences, J
W. Zudilin, Ramanujan-type supercongruences, J. Numb er Theory 129 (2009), 1848–1857. 15
2009
Reviewed August 10, 2026 · model on record in the stance chip above.
Discussion (0). Continue with ORCID to comment.