- #1
erogard
- 62
- 0
Hi everyone,
I have to prove that every element z of a finite field F is a sum of 2 squares.
Really not sure how to go about proving this, though I've done some research and it is suggested to start with a function that maps F* to itself, defined by [tex] f(x) = x^{2} [/tex].
I guess if I could show some kind of surjectivity, in the sense that any [tex] z \in F [/tex] can be written as [tex] z = f(a) + f(b) [/tex] for some a, b in F. Well I'll post here my progresses as I keep thinking about it, but in the meanwhile any hint or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
I have to prove that every element z of a finite field F is a sum of 2 squares.
Really not sure how to go about proving this, though I've done some research and it is suggested to start with a function that maps F* to itself, defined by [tex] f(x) = x^{2} [/tex].
I guess if I could show some kind of surjectivity, in the sense that any [tex] z \in F [/tex] can be written as [tex] z = f(a) + f(b) [/tex] for some a, b in F. Well I'll post here my progresses as I keep thinking about it, but in the meanwhile any hint or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.