\documentclass[11pt]{article} \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} \usepackage{lmodern} \usepackage{amsmath,amssymb,amsthm,mathtools} \usepackage{array,booktabs} \usepackage{enumitem} \usepackage[margin=1in]{geometry} \usepackage{microtype} \usepackage{xcolor} \usepackage[hidelinks]{hyperref} \usepackage{listings} \definecolor{codegray}{RGB}{245,245,245} \lstset{ basicstyle=\ttfamily\small, backgroundcolor=\color{codegray}, frame=single, breaklines=true, columns=fullflexible, keepspaces=true } \newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem} \newtheorem{lemma}{Lemma} \newtheorem{proposition}{Proposition} \newtheorem{corollary}{Corollary} \theoremstyle{definition} \newtheorem{definition}{Definition} \theoremstyle{remark} \newtheorem{remark}{Remark} \newcommand{\F}[2]{{}_{#1}F_{#2}} \newcommand{\Q}{\mathbb{Q}} \newcommand{\e}{\mathbf e} \newcommand{\diag}{\operatorname{diag}} \newcommand{\ord}{\operatorname{ord}} \title{An Exact Hypergeometric Tail Certificate for\\ Ramanujan Challenge Problem 2.8} \author{Problem 2.8 submission} \date{July 2026} \begin{document} \maketitle \begin{abstract} Let \(G_N=M_0M_1\cdots M_{N-1}\) be the \(4\times4\) transfer product in Ramanujan Challenge Problem 2.8, and let \(P_{N,j}\) and \(Q_{N,j}\) be the two official seeded rows evaluated in column \(j\). We prove \[ \lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{P_{N,j}}{Q_{N,j}} =\frac{\sqrt{10005}}{\pi} \qquad (j=1,2,3,4). \] Equivalently, \(Q_{N,j}/P_{N,j}\to\pi/\sqrt{10005}\). The missing connection constant is fixed by an exact rank-three hypergeometric tail. A nonterminating \(\F43\) Euler jet is carried backward by the displayed matrix, while the first denominator is a terminating adjoint \(\F43\). Four denominator-cleared Ore identities and three coefficient identities give an all-\(N\) Pad\'e divisibility theorem. Positivity at the negative CM point, a Cauchy estimate, and an explicit stable-graph contraction prove convergence for all four columns. Every algebraic identity used below is reproduced by a dependency-free rational-polynomial checker. The classical Chudnovsky formula, cited precisely in Section~2, is the sole imported theorem. \end{abstract} \enlargethispage{2\baselineskip} \tableofcontents \section{Statement and compact form of the seeds} Put \[ R=151931373056001=53360^3+1,\qquad x_0=\frac1R,\qquad z=-\frac{x}{1-x}. \] Thus the official CM point is \[ z_0=-\frac1{R-1}=-\frac1{53360^3}. \] Let \[ G_N=M_0M_1\cdots M_{N-1},\qquad G_0=I_4, \] where the rational family is defined as follows. Put \(r=x^{-1}\), \(\omega=u(3u-2)(3u+2)\), and \begin{align*} a_1={}&r(144u^5-288u^4+144u^3) -99u^5+333u^4-229u^3-114u^2+40u+64,\\ a_2={}&r(432u^4-864u^3+432u^2) -243u^4+909u^3-868u^2-80u+272,\\ a_3={}&r(432u^3-864u^2+432u) -153u^3+648u^2-860u+360,\\ a_4={}&144r(u-1)^2,\\ b_1={}&-144ru^3+9u^4+63u^3+158u^2+168u+64,\\ b_2={}&216ru^2+36u^3-189u^2-316u-168,\\ b_3={}&108ru+54u^2-189u-158,\\ c_1={}&-288r^2u^3+ r(54u^4+378u^3+948u^2+1008u+384)\\ &\hspace{2.2em}+18u^5+45u^4-251u^3-1086u^2-1384u-576,\\ c_2={}&-432r^2u^2+ r(153u^4-657u^3+1292u^2+2064u+1072)\\ &\hspace{2.2em}-72u^4+702u^3-1069u^2-2508u-1512,\\ c_3={}&-216r^2u+ r(180u^3-891u^2+1450u+1116)\\ &\hspace{2.2em}-108u^3+864u^2-1385u-1422,\\ c_4={}&-4r^2+r(6u^2-33u+\tfrac{536}{9}) -4u^2+32u-63. \end{align*} Define \begin{equation}\label{eq:deformed-matrix} \mathcal M(u,x)= \begin{pmatrix} a_1/\omega&a_2/\omega&a_3/\omega&a_4/\omega\\ -u^3&-3u^2&-3u&-1\\ xb_1/144&-xb_2/72&-xb_3/36& x(-2r-(2u-7))/2\\ x^2c_1/288&x^2c_2/144&x^2c_3/72&x^2c_4/4 \end{pmatrix}, \qquad M_N(x)=\mathcal M(2N+3,x). \end{equation} At \(x=x_0\), the only deformed challenge coefficient is restored by \[ 236337691420383=\frac{14R-567}{9}. \] Thus every use of Cauchy's theorem below concerns the explicitly displayed rational \(x\)-family, not an unspecified continuation. Define four Pascal rows \[ \begin{aligned} b_0&=(1,0,0,0),& b_1&=(1,1,0,0),\\ b_2&=(1,2,1,0),& b_3&=(1,3,3,1) \end{aligned} \] and let \(\mathcal P\) be the matrix with rows \(b_0,b_1,b_2,b_3\). The compact denominator row is \[ C(x)= \left( \frac{18}{x}+\frac{159}{4},\ \frac{54}{x}+\frac{131}{2},\ \frac{54}{x}+27,\ \frac{18}{x} \right). \] Equivalently, \[ C=\frac{18}{x}b_3+\frac54b_0+\frac{23}{2}b_1+27b_2. \] Set \[ A=13591409,\qquad B=545140134,\qquad S=426880. \] The two official initial rows have the exact form \begin{equation}\label{eq:seed-identities} A_1=SC,\qquad A_0=AC-\frac54H_0,\qquad H_0=Ab_0+Bb_1=(A+B,B,0,0). \end{equation} At \(x=x_0\), these identities reproduce the official integer rows entry by entry: \[ \begin{aligned} A_0={}&(37169305760442252761441,\, 111507917281327441564208,\\ &\hspace{4.7em}111507917281327599720129,\, 37169305760442410917362),\\ A_1={}&(1167416361542639692320,\, 3502249084627896132160,\\ &\hspace{4.7em}3502249084627879697280,\, 1167416361542622723840). \end{aligned} \] For \(j=1,\ldots,4\), write \[ P_{N,j}=A_0G_N\e_j,\qquad Q_{N,j}=A_1G_N\e_j. \] We first identify the first-column limit and then invoke the exact cyclic frame to cover all four columns. \section{The CM function and its exact value} Let \[ y(z)=\F32\left( \begin{matrix}\frac16,\frac12,\frac56\\1,1\end{matrix};z \right), \qquad \theta=z\frac{d}{dz}=(1-x)x\frac{d}{dx}, \] and define \begin{equation}\label{eq:phi} \Phi(x)=\frac{Ay(z)+B\theta y(z)}{S}. \end{equation} We use one external theorem: the classical Chudnovsky identity. In the normalization used here it is Theorem~0.1 of Milla's equation-by-equation derivation \([2]\), whose modular and CM proof is completed in Theorem~9.7 and Chapter~10: \[ \frac1\pi= \frac{12}{640320^{3/2}} \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(6k)!}{(3k)!(k!)^3} (A+Bk)(-640320^{-3})^k. \] The elementary coefficient identity \[ \frac{(6k)!}{(3k)!(k!)^3} =1728^k \frac{(\frac16)_k(\frac12)_k(\frac56)_k}{(k!)^3} \] and \(640320=12\cdot53360\) give \[ Ay(z_0)+B\theta y(z_0) =\frac{640320^{3/2}}{12\pi} =\frac{426880\sqrt{10005}}{\pi}. \] Consequently, \begin{equation}\label{eq:CM-value} \boxed{\Phi(x_0)=\frac{\sqrt{10005}}{\pi}.} \end{equation} \section{The nonterminating adjoint tail} Put \(n=N+1\) and \(\delta_N=\theta-n\). Define \begin{equation}\label{eq:tail} F_N(z)=\kappa_Nz^n \F43\left( \begin{matrix} n,n+\frac16,n+\frac12,n+\frac56\\ 2n,2n,2n \end{matrix};z\right), \end{equation} where \[ \kappa_0=\frac5{72},\qquad \frac{\kappa_{N+1}}{\kappa_N} =-\frac{(6N+7)(6N+11)} {576(N+1)^2(2N+3)^2}. \] Its Euler jet is \[ k_N=\left(F_N,\delta_NF_N,\delta_N^2F_N,\delta_N^3F_N\right)^T. \] \begin{proposition}[Exact tail contiguity]\label{prop:tail-contiguity} For every \(N\ge0\), \begin{equation}\label{eq:tail-contiguity} \boxed{M_Nk_{N+1}=k_N.} \end{equation} \end{proposition} \begin{proof} Put \(m=(u-1)/2=N+1\). For the \(r\)-th row of \(\mathcal M(u,x)\), define \[ P_r(t)=\sum_{s=0}^3\mathcal M(u,x)_{r+1,s+1}t^s,\qquad \mathcal TQ=(1-x)x\partial_xQ+(t+1)Q. \] The shifted tail satisfies \[ L_+(t)F_{N+1}=0, \] where \[ L_+(t)=(1-x)t(t+u)^3+ x(t+m+1)(t+m+\tfrac76)(t+m+\tfrac32)(t+m+\tfrac{11}{6}). \] There is no division step: direct expansion gives the following four denominator-cleared polynomial identities: \begin{align} u(3u-2)(3u+2)x(\mathcal TP_0-P_1) & =144(u-1)^2L_+,\label{eq:ore0}\\ \mathcal TP_1-P_2&=-L_+,\label{eq:ore1}\\ 2(\mathcal TP_2-P_3)&=(-2+7x-2ux)L_+,\label{eq:ore2}\\ 36(\mathcal TP_3+\ell_3P_3+\ell_2P_2+\ell_1P_1+\ell_0P_0) &=q_3L_+,\label{eq:ore3} \end{align} with \begin{align*} \ell_0={}&(u-1)u(3u-2)(3u+2)x/144,\\ \ell_1={}&[-576+864u-432u^2+72u^3 +(580-872u+405u^2-36u^3)x]/72,\\ \ell_2={}&[432-432u+108u^2 +(-436+405u-54u^2)x]/36,\\ \ell_3={}&(-12+6u+11x-2ux)/2,\\ q_3={}&-36+(536-297u+54u^2)x +(-567+288u-36u^2)x^2. \end{align*} For clarity, the coefficient calculation producing the first row is also written without a special-function routine. Set \[ \begin{aligned} A(t)&=\frac{144(u-1)^2(t+u)^3}{u(3u-2)(3u+2)},& B(t)&=P_0(t)-\frac{A(t)}x,\\ \varrho&=-\frac{(3u-2)(3u+2)}{144(u-1)^2u^2},\\ \chi_j&= \frac{(m+j)(m+\frac16+j)(m+\frac12+j)(m+\frac56+j)} {m(m+\frac16)(m+\frac12)(m+\frac56)}\\ &\quad{}\times \left(\frac{2m(2m+1)}{(2m+j)(2m+j+1)}\right)^3,\\ \psi_j&= \frac{(m+j)(m+\frac16+j)(m+\frac12+j)(m+\frac56+j)} {(2m+j)^3(j+1)} . \end{aligned} \] The constant and generic coefficient equations are \begin{equation}\label{eq:tail-coefficients} \varrho[-A(0)]=1,\qquad \varrho\left[-A(j)\chi_j+ \frac{(A(j-1)+B(j-1))\chi_{j-1}}{\psi_{j-1}}\right]=1 \quad(j\ge1). \end{equation} Clearing the displayed nonzero factors turns \eqref{eq:ore0}--\eqref{eq:tail-coefficients} into polynomial equalities with every coefficient zero. The independent script \texttt{p28\_standalone\_equations.py} expands precisely these equalities using only rational addition and multiplication. Equation \eqref{eq:tail-coefficients} gives the first row of \eqref{eq:tail-contiguity}; applying \eqref{eq:ore0}--\eqref{eq:ore3} successively gives the other three Euler-jet rows. \end{proof} For \(N=0\), write \(y(z)=1+\sum_{k\ge1}c_kz^k\). The coefficient of \(z\) is \[ c_1=\frac{(1/6)(1/2)(5/6)}{1^3}=\frac5{72}, \] and, after shifting \(k\mapsto k+1\), both sides below have initial coefficient \(5/72\) and consecutive-coefficient ratio \[ \frac{(k+\frac16)(k+\frac12)(k+\frac56)}{(k+1)^3}. \] Hence coefficient equality, rather than a named ascension rule, gives \begin{equation}\label{eq:ascension} F_0=y-1 =\frac5{72}z \F43\left( \begin{matrix}1,\frac76,\frac32,\frac{11}{6}\\2,2,2\end{matrix};z \right). \end{equation} Because \(\mathcal P\) is the Pascal matrix, \[ \mathcal Pk_0= (y-1,\theta y,\theta^2y,\theta^3y)^T. \] \section{The rank-three error carrier} Set \[ f=(y-1,\theta y,\theta^2y,\theta^3y)^T,\qquad \mathcal E_0=\frac54\mathcal P+fC,\qquad \mathcal E_N=\mathcal E_0G_N. \] The transformed hypergeometric equation is \begin{equation}\label{eq:transformed-ode} 72\theta^3y+108x\theta^2y+46x\theta y+5xy=0. \end{equation} Indeed the coefficient ratio of \(y\) gives \[ \left[\theta^3- z(\theta+\tfrac16)(\theta+\tfrac12)(\theta+\tfrac56)\right]y=0. \] Substituting \(z=-x/(1-x)\), using \(\theta=(1-x)x\partial_x\), and multiplying by \(72(1-x)\) expands to \eqref{eq:transformed-ode}. Using the displayed decomposition of \(C\), equations \eqref{eq:ascension}--\eqref{eq:transformed-ode} give \[ Ck_0=-\frac54. \] It follows that \[ \mathcal E_0k_0=\frac54f+f(Ck_0)=0. \] Proposition~\ref{prop:tail-contiguity} therefore implies \begin{equation}\label{eq:annihilation} \boxed{\mathcal E_Nk_N=0\qquad(N\ge0).} \end{equation} The same differential equation gives the exact row relation \begin{equation}\label{eq:row-relation} 72(\mathcal E_N)_{3,*} +108x(\mathcal E_N)_{2,*} +46x(\mathcal E_N)_{1,*} +5x(\mathcal E_N)_{0,*}=0. \end{equation} \section{A discrete valuation lemma} Let \[ H=\diag(x,1,1,1),\qquad J_N=HM_N. \] Every entry of \(J_N\) is regular at \(x=0\). If \(u=2N+3\) and \[ a_N=\frac{144(u-1)^2}{u(3u-2)(3u+2)},\qquad V_N=(u^3,3u^2,3u,1), \] direct substitution in the authoritative matrix gives \begin{equation}\label{eq:rank-one} J_N(0)= \begin{pmatrix}a_N\\-1\\-1\\-1\end{pmatrix}V_N. \end{equation} Thus \(J_N(0)\) has rank one. The first nonconstant coefficient of the \(\F43\) in \eqref{eq:tail} equals \[ c_N=\frac{u(3u-2)(3u+2)}{144(u-1)^2}=a_N^{-1}. \] Since \(z=-x+O(x^2)\), \begin{equation}\label{eq:tail-direction} Hk_N=x^{N+2}\eta_N \left[ \begin{pmatrix}1\\-c_N\\-c_N\\-c_N\end{pmatrix} +O(x) \right],\qquad \eta_N\ne0. \end{equation} The leading vector in \eqref{eq:tail-direction} is precisely the image direction in \eqref{eq:rank-one}. The other expansion required below is equally direct. Since \[ F_{N+1}=\kappa_{N+1}z^{N+2}(1+O(z)),\qquad \delta_{N+1}=\theta-(N+2), \] the shifted derivatives kill the leading monomial, and therefore \begin{equation}\label{eq:next-tail-direction} k_{N+1}=x^{N+2}\widetilde\eta_N \left(\e_1+xs_N+O(x^2)\right), \qquad\widetilde\eta_N\ne0. \end{equation} Moreover, \eqref{eq:rank-one} gives \[ J_N(0)\e_1=u^3(a_N,-1,-1,-1)^T\ne0. \] \begin{lemma}[DVR step, including the extra first-column zero] \label{lem:dvr} Let \(R_0=\Q[[x]]\), \(H=\diag(x,1,1,1)\), and suppose \[ E=x^NLH,\qquad L\in\operatorname{Mat}_4(R_0),\qquad Ek=0. \] Assume \(J=HM\in\operatorname{Mat}_4(R_0)\), \(Mk^+=k\), and \[ \begin{aligned} k^+&=x^r\alpha(\e_1+xs+O(x^2)),\\ Hk&=x^r\beta(v_0+xv_1+O(x^2)), \end{aligned} \] with \(\alpha\beta\ne0\). If \(J(0)\) has rank one, \(\operatorname{im}J(0)=\Q v_0\), and \(J(0)\e_1\ne0\), then \[ EM=x^{N+1}L^+H \] for some \(L^+\in\operatorname{Mat}_4(R_0)\). \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Absorb \(\beta/\alpha\) into \(v_0,v_1\). From \(Jk^+=Hk\), \[ J(\e_1+xs+O(x^2))=v_0+xv_1+O(x^2). \] Write \(L=L_0+xL_1+\cdots\). The equation \(L(Hk)=0\) gives \[ L_0v_0=0,\qquad L_0v_1+L_1v_0=0. \] Since \(J(0)\) has image \(\Q v_0\), \(L_0J(0)=0\), so \(LJ\) is entrywise divisible by \(x\). The coefficient of \(x\) in its first column is \[ L_0(v_1-J(0)s)+L_1v_0=-L_0J(0)s=0. \] Hence that column is divisible by \(x^2\). Therefore \[ L^+=x^{-1}LJH^{-1} \] is regular and \(EM=x^{N+1}L^+H\). \end{proof} \begin{proposition}[All-\(N\) Pad\'e divisibility]\label{prop:divisibility} For every \(N\ge0\), there is \(L_N\in\operatorname{Mat}_4(\Q[[x]])\) such that \begin{equation}\label{eq:divisibility} \boxed{\mathcal E_N=x^NL_NH.} \end{equation} Thus every row of \(\mathcal E_N\) has componentwise valuations at least \[ (N+1,N,N,N). \] The last row has the stronger valuations \[ (N+2,N+1,N+1,N+1). \] \end{proposition} \begin{proof} Every component of \(f\) is \(O(x)\), while \(C\) has only a simple pole. All four components of \(f\) have leading term \(-5x/72\). Consequently the constant term in the first column of \(fC\) is \(-5/4\), cancelling the first component of every row of \((5/4)\mathcal P\). Hence \(\mathcal E_0=L_0H\). Apply Lemma~\ref{lem:dvr} inductively, using \eqref{eq:annihilation}, \eqref{eq:rank-one}, \eqref{eq:tail-direction}, \eqref{eq:next-tail-direction}, the displayed nonzero first column of \(J_N(0)\), and \(M_Nk_{N+1}=k_N\). The stronger last-row assertion follows from \eqref{eq:row-relation}. \end{proof} \section{The terminating denominator} For the first column put \[ q_N(x)=CG_N\e_1,\qquad n=N+1,\qquad Q_N(x)=x^nq_N(x), \] and define \[ \widehat Q_N(z) =(1-z)^nQ_N\!\left(-\frac{z}{1-z}\right). \] Since \(x=-z/(1-z)\), this is also the first component of \((-z)^nCG_N\). \begin{proposition}[Exact terminating denominator] \label{prop:terminating} For every \(N\ge0\), \begin{equation}\label{eq:qhat} \frac{\widehat Q_N(z)}{\alpha_n} =\F43\left( \begin{matrix} -n,-n-\frac16,-n-\frac12,-n-\frac56\\ 1-2n,1-2n,1-2n \end{matrix};z \right), \end{equation} where \begin{equation}\label{eq:normalization} \alpha_1=18,\qquad \frac{\alpha_{n+1}}{\alpha_n} =\frac{576n^2(2n+1)^2}{(6n+1)(6n+5)}. \end{equation} Here and below the hypergeometric expression denotes the unambiguous finite sum over \(0\le k\le n\); it terminates before any lower Pochhammer symbol can vanish. \end{proposition} \begin{proof} Write \(p_n=\widehat Q_{n-1}\) for \(n\ge1\). We use coefficient induction, because normalization at \(z=0\) alone would not select a unique solution of the fourth-order equation. To expose the matrix-to-scalar bridge, write \[ \mathcal L_n(t)=t(t+2n-1)^3 -z(t+n)(t+n+\tfrac16)(t+n+\tfrac12)(t+n+\tfrac56) =\sum_{j=0}^4c_jt^j \] and define, for operator polynomials with coefficients on the left, \[ \Theta Q=z\partial_zQ+tQ. \] The four horizontal components are reconstructed from the first by \[ \pi_0=1,\qquad \pi_3=\frac{c_4}{c_0}t,\qquad \pi_2=\frac{c_3}{c_4}\pi_3-\Theta\pi_3,\qquad \pi_1=\frac{c_2}{c_4}\pi_3-\Theta\pi_2. \] The remaining horizontal equation is the direct factorization \[ \begin{aligned} \Theta\pi_1+1-\frac{c_1}{c_4}\pi_3 ={}&-\frac{72}{n(2n+1)(6n+1)(6n+5)z}\bigl[ t(t-2n)^3\\ &\hspace{4em} -z(t-n)(t-n-\tfrac16) (t-n-\tfrac12)(t-n-\tfrac56)\bigr]. \end{aligned} \] Let \[ \mathcal C_n(z)= \begin{pmatrix} 0&1&0&0\\ 0&0&1&0\\ 0&0&0&1\\ -c_0/c_4&-c_1/c_4&-c_2/c_4&-c_3/c_4 \end{pmatrix}. \] The propagation of the reconstructed row is the following sixteen-entry identity: \begin{equation}\label{eq:full-gauge} \mathcal C_n[-z\mathcal M(2n+1,-z/(1-z))] -\theta[-z\mathcal M(2n+1,-z/(1-z))] -[-z\mathcal M(2n+1,-z/(1-z))]\mathcal C_{n+1}=0. \end{equation} Finally, direct contraction with the displayed matrix gives \begin{equation}\label{eq:matrix-scalar-bridge} \sum_{r=0}^3\pi_r(t) \left[-z\mathcal M(2n+1,-z/(1-z))\right]_{r+1,1} =d_0(t)+zd_1(t). \end{equation} These are identities in \(\Q(n,z)(t)\). The factors depending on the integer \(n\) are nonzero for \(n\ge1\); no value is obtained by dividing at \(z=0\), because the verifier cross-multiplies first and the reconstructed base functions have removable limits there. The mandatory sparse-polynomial verifier checks every reconstruction equation, the closing factorization, and \eqref{eq:full-gauge}--\eqref{eq:matrix-scalar-bridge} by cross multiplication. For any reconstructed horizontal row these identities give \begin{equation}\label{eq:terminating-step} p_{n+1} =\bigl(d_0(\theta)+zd_1(\theta)\bigr)p_n, \end{equation} where \[ d_0(t)= \frac{72(2n+1)^2(2n-t)^3}{n(6n+1)(6n+5)} \] and \[ d_1(t)=-\frac{P(n,t)}{n(2n+1)(6n+1)(6n+5)} \] with \begin{align*} P(n,t)={}&-5n-76n^2+1404n^3+4360n^4+4320n^5+1440n^6\\ &+(5+127n-1760n^2-6536n^3-7632n^4-3024n^5)t\\ &+(-51+659n+3086n^2+4500n^3+2232n^4)t^2\\ &+(-72-432n-864n^2-576n^3)t^3. \end{align*} Thus \eqref{eq:terminating-step} is the scalar form of the displayed matrix recurrence; no differential-equation uniqueness is used below. Let \[ h_{n,k}= \frac{(-n)_k(-n-\frac16)_k(-n-\frac12)_k(-n-\frac56)_k} {(1-2n)_k^3k!} \quad(0\le k\le n), \qquad \nu_n=\frac{576n^2(2n+1)^2}{(6n+1)(6n+5)}. \] For \(n\ge1\), clearing the displayed nonzero denominators gives exactly \begin{align} d_0(0)&=\nu_n,\label{eq:term-constant}\\ d_0(k)+d_1(k-1)\frac{h_{n,k-1}}{h_{n,k}} &=\nu_n\frac{h_{n+1,k}}{h_{n,k}} \qquad(1\le k\le n),\label{eq:term-generic}\\ d_1(n)&=-\nu_n \frac{(n+\frac76)(n+\frac32)(n+\frac{11}{6})} {8(2n+1)^3}.\label{eq:term-top} \end{align} The base row is not assumed: from the first component of \(C\), \[ q_0(x)=\frac{18}{x}+\frac{159}{4},\qquad Q_0(x)=xq_0(x)=18+\frac{159}{4}x, \] and therefore \[ p_1(z)=(1-z)Q_0\!\left(-\frac{z}{1-z}\right) =18\left(1-\frac{77}{24}z\right). \] Direct application of the four displayed \(\pi_r\) operators gives the four base identities \begin{equation}\label{eq:base-horizontal-row} -zC\!\left(-\frac{z}{1-z}\right) =\left.(\pi_0(\theta)p_1,\pi_1(\theta)p_1, \pi_2(\theta)p_1,\pi_3(\theta)p_1)\right|_{n=1}. \end{equation} The fourth base equation is also direct: \[ \left[ \theta(\theta-2)^3 -z(\theta-1)(\theta-\tfrac76) (\theta-\tfrac32)(\theta-\tfrac{11}{6}) \right]p_1=0. \] Equivalently, if \(H_1=-zC(-z/(1-z))\), then all four components of \[ \theta H_1+H_1\mathcal C_1=0 \] vanish. The mandatory verifier checks both forms independently. Moreover, \[ \deg((d_0(\theta)+zd_1(\theta))p_n)\le n+1. \] Equations \eqref{eq:term-constant}--\eqref{eq:term-top} therefore prove, coefficient by coefficient, that the right side of \eqref{eq:terminating-step} is \(\alpha_{n+1}\sum_{k=0}^{n+1}h_{n+1,k}z^k\). Starting from \eqref{eq:base-horizontal-row}, \eqref{eq:full-gauge} propagates the horizontal form at every step. This proves \eqref{eq:qhat} and \eqref{eq:normalization} for the actual row \(CG_N\), not merely for a scalar surrogate. The mandatory standalone checker independently expands the cleared identities and rejects any nonzero coefficient. \end{proof} \begin{corollary}[Positivity at the CM point]\label{cor:positivity} At \(z_0=-1/53360^3\), \[ \widehat Q_N(z_0)\ge\alpha_n>0. \] Moreover, \[ \alpha_n\ge18\cdot29^N(N!)^2. \] \end{corollary} \begin{proof} For \(0\le k\le n\), the coefficient of \(z^k\) in \eqref{eq:qhat} has sign \((-1)^k\). Since \(z_0<0\), every summand is nonnegative. Also \[ \frac{576n^2(2n+1)^2}{(6n+1)(6n+5)}-29n^2 =\frac{n^2(1260n^2+1260n+431)} {(6n+1)(6n+5)}>0. \] Iterating \eqref{eq:normalization} proves the lower bound. \end{proof} \section{From formal contact to convergence at \texorpdfstring{\(x_0\)}{x0}} This step is included to rule out a beyond-all-orders ambiguity. For \(r=0,1\), let \[ E_{N,r}(x)=(\mathcal E_N)_{r,1},\qquad \mathcal R_{N,r}(x)=x^nE_{N,r}(x). \] Proposition~\ref{prop:divisibility} says that \(\mathcal R_{N,r}\) has a zero of order at least \(2n\). Choose \(r_0=1/4\). On \(|x|=r_0\), \(|z|\le1/3\). The coefficients of \(y\) have modulus at most one, so \[ |y-1|\le\frac12,\qquad |\theta^jy|\le\sum_{k\ge1}k^3(1/3)^k=\frac{33}{8}<5 \quad(1\le j\le3). \] Termwise estimates give \(\|\mathcal E_0\|_\infty<6000\). For \(m\ge1\), put \[ D(m)=\diag(1,m,m^2,m^3),\qquad \mathcal B_m=D(m)^{-1}M_mD(m+1)/(m+1)^2. \] On \(|x|=1/4\), direct estimates of the authoritative entries give \[ |(M_m)_{ij}|\le10^4u^{\,i+2-j},\qquad u=2m+3, \] and therefore \[ |(\mathcal B_m)_{ij}| \le10^4\left(\frac um\right)^{i-1} \left(\frac u{m+1}\right)^{3-j}. \] For \(m\ge1\), \(u/m\le5\) and \(u/(m+1)\le5/2\). Because the exponent \(3-j\) is negative when \(j=4\), we use the exact case split \[ \left(\frac{u}{m+1}\right)^{3-j}\le \begin{cases} (5/2)^{3-j}\le25/4,&j\le3,\\[1mm] 1/2,&j=4, \end{cases} \] where the second line follows from \(u/(m+1)=2+1/(m+1)\ge2\). Thus every entry is at most \(7{,}812{,}500\), and summing each row gives \[ \|\mathcal B_m\|_\infty\le31{,}250{,}000<4\cdot10^8,\qquad \|M_0\|_\infty<10^7. \] The balancing telescopes: \[ G_N=M_0(N!)^2\mathcal B_1\cdots \mathcal B_{N-1}D(N)^{-1}. \] It follows that, for \(N\ge1\), \begin{equation}\label{eq:circle-bound} \max_{|x|=1/4}|\mathcal R_{N,r}(x)| \le6\cdot10^{10}(N!)^2(4\cdot10^8)^{N-1}(1/4)^n. \end{equation} We now verify the analytic hypothesis behind the next step. On \(|x|\le1/4\), \[ \left|-\frac{x}{1-x}\right|\le\frac13<1, \] so the series defining \(y\) and its first three Euler derivatives are holomorphic on a neighborhood of the closed disk. Because \(f=O(x)\), the simple pole of \(C\) cancels in \(fC\), so \(\mathcal E_0\) is holomorphic there. Inspection of \eqref{eq:deformed-matrix} shows that each \(M_m\) is holomorphic off \(x=0\) in this disk and has at most a simple pole at \(0\). Hence \(\mathcal R_{N,r}=x^n(\mathcal E_N)_{r,1}\), with \(n=N+1\), is holomorphic on the disk after removing its possible singularity at zero. Proposition~\ref{prop:divisibility} strengthens its order there to at least \(2n\). Therefore \(\mathcal R_{N,r}(x)/x^{2n}\) has a removable singularity at zero and is holomorphic on a neighborhood of the closed disk. Applying the maximum principle to \(\mathcal R_{N,r}(x)/x^{2n}\) gives \begin{equation}\label{eq:cauchy} |\mathcal R_{N,r}(x_0)| \le6\cdot10^{10}(N!)^2(4\cdot10^8)^{N-1}(1/4)^n (4x_0)^{2n}. \end{equation} Because \(1-z=1/(1-x)\), \[ Q_N(x_0)=(1-x_0)^n\widehat Q_N(z_0). \] Corollary~\ref{cor:positivity} yields \[ Q_N(x_0)\ge 18\cdot29^N(N!)^2(1-x_0)^n. \] Combining this with \eqref{eq:cauchy}, we obtain \begin{equation}\label{eq:geometric-error} \left|\frac{E_{N,r}(x_0)}{q_N(x_0)}\right| =\left|\frac{\mathcal R_{N,r}(x_0)}{Q_N(x_0)}\right| \le K_0\,\beta(x_0)^N, \end{equation} where \(K_0<\infty\) is independent of \(N\) and \[ \beta(x_0)= \frac{4\cdot10^8}{29} \frac{x_0^2}{(1/4)(1-x_0)} =\frac{3125}{1307443596565949700399927} <4\cdot10^{-19}<1. \] Therefore \begin{equation}\label{eq:error-vanish} \frac{E_{N,0}(x_0)}{q_N(x_0)}\longrightarrow0,\qquad \frac{E_{N,1}(x_0)}{q_N(x_0)}\longrightarrow0. \end{equation} \section{Identification of the first-column limit} By \eqref{eq:seed-identities} and the definition of \(\Phi\), \[ A_0-\Phi A_1 =-A(\mathcal E_0)_{0,*}-B(\mathcal E_0)_{1,*}. \] Multiplying by \(G_N\e_1\), dividing by \(A_1G_N\e_1=S q_N\), and using \eqref{eq:error-vanish}, we get \[ \lim_{N\to\infty} \frac{A_0G_N\e_1}{A_1G_N\e_1} =\Phi(x_0). \] Equation \eqref{eq:CM-value} therefore proves \begin{equation}\label{eq:first-column} \boxed{ \lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{P_{N,1}}{Q_{N,1}} =\frac{\sqrt{10005}}{\pi}.} \end{equation} \section{The other three official columns} All matrices in this section are evaluated at \(x=x_0=1/R\). For \(m\ge1\), retain \[ D_m=\diag(1,m,m^2,m^3),\qquad \mathcal B_m=D_m^{-1}M_mD_{m+1}/(m+1)^2, \] and, for any row \(a\), put \[ Z_m(a)=\frac{aG_mD_m}{(m!)^2}. \] Then the balancing gives the exact recurrence \begin{equation}\label{eq:balanced-row-recurrence} Z_{m+1}(a)=Z_m(a)\mathcal B_m. \end{equation} Substitution in the displayed matrix shows, entry by entry, that \(\mathcal B_m-\mathcal S=O(m^{-1})\), where \[ \mathcal S= \begin{pmatrix} 64R-44&96R-54&48R-17&8R\\ -8&-12&-6&-1\\ R^{-1}&-4R^{-1}&-6R^{-1}&-2R^{-1}\\ 2R^{-2}&(17R-8)R^{-2}&4(5R-3)R^{-2}&(6R-4)R^{-2} \end{pmatrix}. \] Its characteristic polynomial is \(Q_R(t)/R^2\), where \[ \begin{aligned} Q_R(t)={}&R^2t^4-(64R^3-56R^2-4)t^3\\ &+(48R^2-262R+220)t^2-(12R-8)t+1. \end{aligned} \] On \(|t|=1\), the cubic coefficient strictly dominates the sum of the other four coefficient magnitudes, because \[ (64R^3-56R^2-4)-(49R^2-250R+213) =64R^3-105R^2+250R-217>0. \] To count the roots without an irreducibility or root-finder call, consider \[ H_s(t)=-(64R^3-56R^2-4)t^3+ s\{R^2t^4+(48R^2-262R+220)t^2-(12R-8)t+1\}. \] The strict inequality above gives \(H_s(t)\ne0\) for \(|t|=1\), \(0\le s\le1\). Thus the winding number of \(H_s(e^{i\vartheta})\) about zero cannot change with \(s\); at \(s=0\) it is \(3\). Hence \(Q_R=H_1\) has three zeros in \(|t|<1\) and one, counted with multiplicity, in \(|t|>1\). Moreover \[ Q_R(1)=-(64R^3-105R^2+274R-233)<0,\qquad \lim_{t\to+\infty}Q_R(t)=+\infty. \] Consequently the unique exterior zero is a simple real number \(\rho>1\). \begin{lemma}[Explicit dominant-product dichotomy] \label{lem:dominant-product} Fix \(\tau\) with \[ \max_{\lambda\ne\rho}|\lambda|<\tau<1, \] Then there exist a late index \(m_0\), a linear functional \(\Lambda\) on rows, nonzero scalars \(L_m\) independent of the row, and a left \(\rho\)-eigenvector \(w\) of \(\mathcal S\) such that the following alternatives hold: \begin{align} \Lambda(a)=0&\quad\Longrightarrow\quad \|Z_m(a)\|\le K_a\tau^{m-m_0},\label{eq:exceptional-decay}\\ \Lambda(a)\ne0&\quad\Longrightarrow\quad Z_m(a)=\Lambda(a)L_m\bigl(w+o_a(1)\bigr). \label{eq:dominant-asymptotic} \end{align} \end{lemma} \begin{proof} Choose an invertible \(P\) with \[ P^{-1}\mathcal SP= \begin{pmatrix}\rho&0\\0&A\end{pmatrix}, \qquad\operatorname{spr}(A)<1. \] Choose \(\operatorname{spr}(A)<\theta<\tau\). For stable rows define \[ \|\beta\|_\theta=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \theta^{-k}\|\beta A^k\|_0. \] The finite Jordan identity \[ J_\lambda^k=\sum_{\ell=0}^{s-1} \binom{k}{\ell}\lambda^{k-\ell}N^\ell \] gives, for \(\operatorname{spr}(A)<\eta<\theta\), \(\|A^k\|_0\le Ck^2\eta^k\); hence the series converges and \[ \|\beta A\|_\theta =\theta\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\theta^{-k}\|\beta A^k\|_0 \le\theta\|\beta\|_\theta. \] Use the dual norm for stable columns. Write \[ T_m=P^{-1}\mathcal B_mP= \begin{pmatrix}a_m&b_m\\c_m&E_m\end{pmatrix}. \] Then \(a_m\to\rho\), \(b_m,c_m\to0\), and \(E_m\to A\). Choose \[ \theta1,\quad d_*+\epsilonm\), set \(h_M^{(M)}=0\) and recurse backward by \(h_j^{(M)}=\Psi_j(h_{j+1}^{(M)})\). Then, for \(M'>M\), \[ \|h_m^{(M')}-h_m^{(M)}\|\le2q^{M-m}. \] Thus \(h_m=\lim_{M\to\infty}h_m^{(M)}\) exists and satisfies \begin{equation}\label{eq:graph-invariance} h_ma_m+c_m=(h_mb_m+E_m)h_{m+1}. \end{equation} The defining recurrence gives the explicit bound \[ \|h_m\|\le \frac{\|E_m\|\|h_{m+1}\|+\|c_m\|} {|a_m|-\|b_m\|}. \] Together with \(\|A\|_\theta/\rho<1\), this gives \[ \limsup_{m\to\infty}\|h_m\| \le\frac{\theta}{\rho}\limsup_{m\to\infty}\|h_m\|, \qquad\text{hence}\qquad h_m\to0. \] Write \[ U_m(a)=Z_m(a)P=(\alpha_m,\beta_m),\qquad \xi_m=\alpha_m-\beta_mh_m,\qquad d_m=a_m-b_mh_{m+1}. \] Using \eqref{eq:graph-invariance} in \(U_{m+1}=U_mT_m\) gives the exact scalar equation \[ \xi_{m+1}=d_m\xi_m. \] Define the composed seed functional and product \[ \Lambda(a)=\alpha_{m_0}(a)-\beta_{m_0}(a)h_{m_0},\qquad L_m=\prod_{\ell=m_0}^{m-1}d_\ell. \] Both are now explicit, \(\Lambda\) is linear, and \(\xi_m=\Lambda(a)L_m\). Equations \eqref{eq:block-bounds}--\eqref{eq:block-separation} ensure \(d_m\ne0\). If \(\Lambda(a)=0\), then \(\alpha_m=\beta_mh_m\) and \[ \beta_{m+1}=\beta_m(E_m+h_mb_m),\qquad \|\beta_{m+1}\|<(d_*+\epsilon)\|\beta_m\| <\tau\|\beta_m\|, \] which proves \eqref{eq:exceptional-decay}. If \(\Lambda(a)\ne0\), put \(r_m=\beta_m/\xi_m\). Exact substitution gives \[ r_{m+1} =\frac{b_m+r_m(E_m+h_mb_m)}{d_m}. \] Here \(b_m/d_m\to0\) and \((E_m+h_mb_m)/d_m\to A/\rho\), whose norm is below one. Enlarge \(m_0\) once more, redefining \(\Lambda\) and \(L_m\) from this new index, so that for some \(q_1<1\), \[ \left\|\frac{E_m+h_mb_m}{d_m}\right\|\le q_1 \qquad(m\ge m_0). \] Then, for every \(m\ge m_0\), \[ \|r_m\|\le q_1^{m-m_0}\|r_{m_0}\| +\sum_{\ell=m_0}^{m-1}q_1^{m-1-\ell} \left\|\frac{b_\ell}{d_\ell}\right\|\longrightarrow0. \] Since \(\alpha_m/\xi_m=1+r_mh_m\to1\), \[ U_m(a)=\Lambda(a)L_m\bigl((1,0)+o_a(1)\bigr). \] Multiplying by \(P^{-1}\) proves \eqref{eq:dominant-asymptotic} with \[ w=(1,0)P^{-1},\qquad w\mathcal S=\rho w. \] \end{proof} No GCD or irreducibility decision is needed to show that all four coordinates of \(w\) are nonzero. Define the polynomial row \(w(t)\) by \[ \begin{aligned} w_1(t)={}&Rt(Rt^2-7)+12R^2t^2+4t^2+44t+10,\\ \frac{w_2(t)}2={}&R^2t((48R-27)t-28) +(194R-108)t+40R-23,\\ w_3(t)={}&R^2t((48R-17)t-8) +(198R-68)t+71R-32,\\ w_4(t)={}&2R(8+(17+3R)t+4R^2t^2). \end{aligned} \] Direct multiplication gives the exact polynomial identity \[ w(t)(tI-\mathcal S)=(Q_R(t),0,0,0). \] At \(t=\rho\), this is a left \(\rho\)-eigenvector. The exterior eigenspace is one-dimensional, so the vector in Lemma~\ref{lem:dominant-product} may be rescaled to \(w(\rho)\), with the inverse rescaling absorbed into \(L_m\). Since \(R>7\) and \(\rho>1\), every displayed grouping is positive. Thus \(w_j(\rho)>0\) for \(j=1,2,3,4\); below we abbreviate \(w_j=w_j(\rho)\). Undoing the balancing in \eqref{eq:dominant-asymptotic} gives, whenever \(\Lambda(a)\ne0\), \begin{equation}\label{eq:all-column-asymptotic} aG_m\e_j=(m!)^2m^{-(j-1)} \Lambda(a)L_m\bigl(w_j+o_a(1)\bigr). \end{equation} It remains to verify that the two official rows are not exceptional. The positivity estimate and \(Q_m=x_0^{m+1}q_m\) give \begin{equation}\label{eq:q-lower} \frac{q_m(x_0)}{(m!)^2} \ge18(R-1)\,[29(R-1)]^m. \end{equation} If \(\Lambda(C)=0\), the first coordinate of \eqref{eq:exceptional-decay} would contradict \eqref{eq:q-lower}. Therefore \[ \Lambda(A_1)=S\Lambda(C)\ne0. \] If \(\Lambda(A_0)=0\), then \eqref{eq:exceptional-decay}, \eqref{eq:dominant-asymptotic}, and \(|d_m|>1\) for large \(m\) would make the first-column quotient tend to zero, contradicting \eqref{eq:first-column}. Hence \(\Lambda(A_0)\ne0\) as well. Because \(w_j>0\), equation \eqref{eq:all-column-asymptotic} first proves that every \(Q_{m,j}\) is nonzero for all sufficiently large \(m\), and only then permits division: \[ \lim_{m\to\infty}\frac{P_{m,j}}{Q_{m,j}} =\frac{\Lambda(A_0)}{\Lambda(A_1)} =\lim_{m\to\infty}\frac{P_{m,1}}{Q_{m,1}} =\frac{\sqrt{10005}}{\pi}. \] We conclude: \begin{theorem}[Ramanujan Challenge Problem 2.8]\label{thm:main} For every official column \(j=1,2,3,4\), \[ \boxed{ \lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{P_{N,j}}{Q_{N,j}} =\frac{\sqrt{10005}}{\pi}.} \] Equivalently, \[ \boxed{ \lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{Q_{N,j}}{P_{N,j}} =\frac{\pi}{\sqrt{10005}}.} \] \end{theorem} \section{Reproducibility map} The proof package contains the following certificates. \begin{center} \begin{tabular}{ >{\raggedright\arraybackslash}p{0.41\textwidth} p{0.49\textwidth}} \toprule File & Exact obligation\\ \midrule \path{p28_full_closure_certificate.wl} & Optional independent Wolfram cross-check of the differential gauge and hypergeometric closure.\\ \path{p28_standalone_equations.py} & Mandatory dependency-free expansion of the four cleared Ore factorizations, the tail coefficient equations, the terminating base, generic, and top identities, ascension, and the \(\F32\) equation.\\ \path{p28_dominant_product_algebra.py} & Mandatory dependency-free verification of \(\mathcal B_m=\mathcal S+O(m^{-1})\), the characteristic polynomial, the root-separation inequalities, the left-eigenvector identity, and the four positive coordinate rewrites.\\ \path{p28_kernel_contiguity_certificate.sage} & Optional independent Sage check of the four displayed factorizations; it performs no Ore division.\\ \path{p28_lattice_hypotheses_certificate.sage} & Optional exact cross-check of the rank-one factorization, tail direction, and transformed ODE identities.\\ \path{p28_convergence_constants.py} & Exact rational verification of the coefficient bounds, \(\alpha_{n+1}/\alpha_n\ge29n^2\), and \(\beta(x_0)<1\).\\ \path{all_four_columns_certificate.sage} & Optional Sage cross-check of the balanced limit and exterior-root algebra; the analytic contraction is proved in Lemma~\ref{lem:dominant-product}.\\ \path{p28_parametric_pade_probe.py} & Diagnostic finite exact regression of the predicted valuations; it is not used as proof of an all-\(N\) statement.\\ \bottomrule \end{tabular} \end{center} The two mandatory algebra checkers use only the standard library's \texttt{fractions.Fraction}, sparse coefficient dictionaries, and explicit addition, multiplication, differentiation, and determinant expansion. They invoke no division algorithm, factorizer, root finder, special-function library, or numerical sample. Wolfram Language and SageMath are optional independent cross-checks, not a trust requirement. \section*{References} \addcontentsline{toc}{section}{References} \begin{enumerate}[label={[\arabic*]}] \item D. V. Chudnovsky and G. V. Chudnovsky, ``Approximations and complex multiplication according to Ramanujan,'' in \emph{Ramanujan Revisited}, Academic Press, 1988, pp.~375--472. \item L. Milla, ``A detailed proof of the Chudnovsky formula with means of basic complex analysis,'' arXiv:1809.00533v6, 2021, \href{https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.00533}{arXiv:1809.00533}. \item J. L. Fields, ``Rational approximations to generalized hypergeometric functions,'' \emph{Mathematics of Computation} \textbf{19} (1965), 606--624, \href{https://doi.org/10.1090/S0025-5718-1965-0194620-7} {doi:10.1090/S0025-5718-1965-0194620-7}. \item Yu. V. Nesterenko, ``Hermite--Pad\'e approximants of generalized hypergeometric functions,'' \emph{Russian Acad. Sci. Sb. Math.} \textbf{83} (1995), 189--219. \item The Ramanujan Machine, \href{https://www.ramanujanmachine.com/ramanujan-challenge/} {Ramanujan Challenge}, Problem 2.8. \end{enumerate} \end{document}