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Prove that 9n can be expressed in the required form...

Source: INMO 2007 Question 2

November 2, 2009
number theory unsolvednumber theory

Problem Statement

Let n n be a natural number such that n \equal{} a^2 \plus{} b^2 \plus{}c^2 for some natural numbers a,b,c a,b,c. Prove that 9n \equal{} (p_1a\plus{}q_1b\plus{}r_1c)^2 \plus{} (p_2a\plus{}q_2b\plus{}r_2c)^2 \plus{} (p_3a\plus{}q_3b\plus{}r_3c)^2 where pj p_j's , qj q_j's , rj r_j's are all nonzero integers. Further, if 3 3 does not divide at least one of a,b,c, a,b,c, prove that 9n 9n can be expressed in the form x^2\plus{}y^2\plus{}z^2, where x,y,z x,y,z are natural numbers none of which is divisible by 3 3.