Three Squares Theorem

Anton Danilkin and Loïc Chevalier

May 3, 2023

Abstract

We formalize the Legendre's three squares theorem and its consequences, in particular the following results:
  1. A natural number can be represented as the sum of three squares of natural numbers if and only if it is not of the form $4^a (8 k + 7)$, where $a$ and $k$ are natural numbers.
  2. If $n$ is a natural number such that $n \equiv 3 \pmod{8}$, then $n$ can be be represented as the sum of three squares of odd natural numbers.
Consequences include the following:
  1. An integer $n$ can be written as $n = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + z$, where $x$, $y$, $z$ are integers, if and only if $n \geq 0$.
  2. The Legendre's four squares theorem: any natural number can be represented as the sum of four squares of natural numbers.

License

BSD License

Topics

Session Three_Squares