Distribution of Powers Modulo 1 and Related Topics

Abstract

This is a review of several results related to distribution of powers and combination of powers modulo 1. We include a proof that given a sequence of real numbers $\theta_n$, it is possible to get an $\alpha$ (given $\lambda \ne 0$), or a $\lambda$ (given $\alpha > 1$) such that $\lambda \alpha^n$ is close to $\theta_n$ modulo 1. We also prove that in a number field, if a combination of powers $\lambda_1 \alpha_1^n + \cdots + \lambda_m \alpha_m^n$ has bounded $v$-adic absolute value (where $v$ is any non-Archimedian place) for $n \geq n_0$, then the $\alpha_i$'s are algebraic integers. Finally we present several open problem and topics for further research.