ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Herglotz–Zagier function

The Herglotz-Zagier function is like a special type of math equation that helps people to understand the relationships between different numbers. It is named after two really smart mathematicians who worked together to create it.

To understand this function, we first need to know what a function is. A function is like a machine that takes in numbers as inputs and then gives different numbers as outputs. For example, if we put the number 2 into the function of "add 3," the output would be 5 (because 2+3=5).

The Herglotz-Zagier function is a bit more complex than that though. It is a function that takes in two inputs, which are complex numbers. Complex numbers are like regular numbers, but they have two parts: a real part and an imaginary part. It's like having two numbers combined into one.

The Herglotz-Zagier function has a really neat property where it can help us understand the relationships between different complex numbers. It is particularly helpful when we want to know about something called modular forms, which are super important in number theory.

So, in summary, the Herglotz-Zagier function is a special math equation that takes in two complex numbers and helps us understand the relationships between them, especially when it comes to modular forms in number theory.