Counting the values taken by algebraic exponential polynomials

Abstract

We prove an effective mean-value theorem for the values of a non-degenerate, algebraic exponential polynomial in several variables. These objects generalise simultaneously the fundamental examples of linear recurrence sequences and sums of S S -units. The proof is based on an effective, uniform estimate for the deviation of the exponential polynomial from its expected value. This estimate is also used to obtain a non-effective asymptotic formula counting the norms of these values below a fixed bound.