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The Bloch-Wigner function $D(z)$, gives the volume of a ideal tetrahedron in hyperbolic space $\mathbb H3$, where z is the cross-ratio (z1,z2,z3,z4) parametrizing the tetrahedron in $\mathbb CP1$.
$D(z)= \tilde D(z1,z2,z3,z4)$

Relating to this, the five-term relation for the dilogarithm, could be interpreted, as the fact that the signed sum of some volume of tetrahedrons, is null :

$$\sum^4_{i=0} (-1)^i \tilde D(z_0, ...., \hat z_i, ... z_4) = 0$$

Here the $z_i$ are 5 points in $\mathbb CP1$, and the notation $\hat z_i$ means that we don't take the vertex $z_i$ in account. The above equation looks like some function of a boundary of some 5-simplex.

But what is this 5-simplex (which, I think, corresponds to a 4-volume), and in which space this simplex exists (hyperbolic space ?) ?

Reference (Zagier) : (Pages 10 - 11)

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I guess you mean $z_i \in \mathbb{H}^3$. There is no need to create a $4$-dimensional space. Think about the simpler situation of a quadrilateral in the plane. This defines a $4$-simplex, and the alternated sum of areas of triangles is zero. – François Brunault Oct 6 '12 at 18:09
The $z_i$ are in $CP1$, the boundary of $H3$. Thanks for your answer – Trimok Oct 6 '12 at 18:14
You're right $z_i \in \partial \mathbb{H}^3$. Of course, the fact about volumes is true regardless whether the $z_i$'s are on the boundary or not. – François Brunault Oct 6 '12 at 18:22
up vote 8 down vote accepted

The five term relation comes from the fact that the sum of the volumes of tetrahedra $ABCD$ and $ABCE$ equals the sum of the volumes of the three tetrahedra $ABDE, ACDE, BCDE.$ One can think of $ABCDE$ as a degenerate four-dimensional simplex.

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In fact this follows from Stokes' theorem. Consider the 4-simplex $\sigma$ with vertices ABCDE. Since the volume form $\omega$ is closed we have $$\int_{\partial\sigma}\omega=\int_{\sigma} d\omega=0.$$ But the integral of the volume form over $\partial\sigma$ is exactly the alternating sum $$\sum_{i=0}^4\left(-1\right)^i vol(\partial_i\sigma)=\sum_{i=0}^4\left(-1\right)^i \tilde{D}\left(z_0,\ldots,\hat{z}_i,\ldots,z_4\right).$$

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I agree, in fact here the non-trivial fact is that the five-term dilogarithm relation is linked to very specific 3-volumes in hyperbolic space (ABCD, ABCE, ABDE, ACDE, BCDE). So, yes, there is a 3-volume form which is closed. – Trimok Nov 29 '12 at 8:45

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