We obtain estimates for Vinogradov’s integral which for the first time approach those conjectured to be the best possible. Several applications of these new bounds are provided. In particular, the conjectured asymptotic formula in Waring’s problem holds for sums of s kth powers of natural numbers whenever s > 2k + 2k − 3.

For simplicity, we use the following convention: X is a non empty set, S is a σ-field of subsets of X, M is a σ-measure on S, f , g are partial functions from X to R, and E is an element of S. One can prove the following three propositions: (1) If for every element x of X such that x ∈ dom f holds f(x) ≤ g(x), then g − f is non-negative. (2) For every set Y and for every partial function f from...

The point (M,f(M)) is called an absolute maximum of f if f(x) ≤ f(M) for every x in the domain of f . The point (m, f(m)) is called an absolute minimum of f if f(x) ≥ f(m) for every x in the domain of f . More than one absolute maximum or minimum may exist. For example, if f(x) = |x| for x ∈ [−1, 1] then f(x) ≤ 1 and there are absolute maxima at (1, 1) and at (−1, 1), but only one absolute mini...