We give a simple proof of the value of the resultant of two Chebyshev polynomials (of the first or the second kind), values lately obtained by D. P. Jacobs, M. O. Rayes and V. Trevisan.

Let $p$ be a prime, and let $\zeta_p$ be a primitive $p$-th root of unity. The lattices in Craig's family are $(p-1)$-dimensional and are geometrical representations of the integral $\mathbb Z[\zeta_p]$-ideals $\langle 1-\zeta_p \rangle^i$, where $i$ is a positive integer. This lattice construction technique is a powerful one. Indeed, in dimensions $p-1$ where $149 \leq p \leq 3001$, Craig's lattices are the densest packings known. Motivated by this, we construct $(p-1)(q-1)$-dimensional lattices from the integral $\mathbb Z[\zeta _{pq}]$-ideals $\langle 1-\zeta_p \rangle^i \langle 1-\zeta_q \rangle^j$, where $p$ and $q$ are distinct primes and $i$ and $j$ are positive integers. In terms of sphere-packing density, the new lattices and those in Craig's family have the same asymptotic behavior. In conclusion, Craig's family is greatly extended while preserving its sphere-packing properties.

Dubickas and Smyth defined the metric Mahler measure on the multiplicative group of non-zero algebraic numbers. The definition involves taking an infimum over representations of an algebraic number $\alpha$ by other algebraic numbers. We verify their conjecture that the infimum in its definition is always achieved, and we establish its analog for the ultrametric Mahler measure.

We prove that every real algebraic integer $\alpha$ is expressible by a difference of two Mahler measures of integer polynomials. Moreover, these polynomials can be chosen in such a way that they both have the same degree as that of $\alpha$, say $d$, one of these two polynomials is irreducible and another has an irreducible factor of degree $d$, so that $\alpha=M(P)-bM(Q)$ with irreducible polynomials $P, Q\in \mathbb Z[X]$ of degree $d$ and a positive integer $b$. Finally, if $d \leqslant 3$, then one can take $b=1$.

Erratum to {\it The Lehmer Polynomial and Pretzel Links}, Canad. J. Math. {\bf 44}(2001), 440--451.

We prove that the Mahler measure of an algebraic number cannot be too close to an integer, unless we have equality. The examples of certain Pisot numbers show that the respective inequality is sharp up to a constant. All cases when the measure is equal to the integer are described in terms of the minimal polynomials.

In this paper we find a formula for the Alexander polynomial $\Delta_{p_1,\dots,p_k} (x)$ of pretzel knots and links with $(p_1,\dots,p_k, \nega 1)$ twists, where $k$ is odd and $p_1,\dots,p_k$ are positive integers. The polynomial $\Delta_{2,3,7} (x)$ is the well-known Lehmer polynomial, which is conjectured to have the smallest Mahler measure among all monic integer polynomials. We confirm that $\Delta_{2,3,7} (x)$ has the smallest Mahler measure among the polynomials arising as $\Delta_{p_1,\dots,p_k} (x)$.