On the values of G-functions

Let f be a G-function (in the sense of Siegel), and x be an algebraic number; assume that the value f(x) is a real number. As a special case of a more general result, we show that f(x) can be written as g(1), where g is a G-function with rational coefficients and arbitrarily large radius of convergence. As an application, we prove that quotients of such values are exactly the numbers which can be written as limits of sequences a(n)/b(n), where the generating series of both sequences are G-functions with rational coefficients. This result provides a general setting for irrationality proofs in the style of Apery for zeta(3), and gives answers to questions asked by T. Rivoal in [Approximations rationnelles des valeurs de la fonction Gamma aux rationnels : le cas des puissances, Acta Arith. 142 (2010), no. 4, 347-365]