Multiplicity Estimates for Algebraically Dependent Analytic Functions

Abstract

We prove a new general multiplicity estimate applicable to sets of functions without any assumption on algebraic independence. The multiplicity estimates are commonly used in determining measures of algebraic independence of values of functions, for instance within the context of Mahler's method. For this reason, our result provides an important tool for the proofs of algebraic independence of complex numbers. At the same time, these estimates can be considered as a measure of algebraic independence of functions themselves. Hence our result provides, under some conditions, the measure of algebraic independence of elements in ${\bf F}_q[[T]]$, where ${\bf F}_q$ denotes a finite field.