How Can a Number Be Written as a Sum of Squares or Primes?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the mathematical exploration of expressing integers as sums of squares and sums of prime numbers. The user Abiyo inquires about the formula for the number of ways a number can be represented as a sum of squares, referencing the example of 5 being expressed as 2² + 1². Additionally, the conversation delves into the partitioning of integers into prime components, specifically questioning the maximum number of primes that can sum to a given integer, with 10 being highlighted as an example. The discussion suggests that while there are resources available, such as the Sum of Squares Function and OEIS A000607, a definitive closed-form formula may not exist for these inquiries.

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  • Understanding of number theory concepts, specifically sums of squares.
  • Familiarity with prime numbers and their properties.
  • Knowledge of mathematical partition theory.
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  • Research the Sum of Squares Function for detailed insights on representations of integers.
  • Explore OEIS A000607 for patterns in the partitioning of integers into prime sums.
  • Investigate the concept of integer partitions and their applications in number theory.
  • Study the distribution of prime numbers and their role in additive number theory.
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abiyo
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Hi All,

So I was just wondering if there is a formula for the number of ways a number can be written
as a sum of squares?(Without including negatives, zero or repeats). For example 5=2^2+1^2. (There is only one way for 5).

Second question along this line is: In how many ways can a number be written as a sum of primes(i.e a sum of two primes, three primes ).

Third Question: 10=2+3+5 Thus 10 can be written as a sum of maximum three prime numbers; no more. Is there such an upper bound for other numbers? I was doing this for
small numbers but would be interesting to see if there is some sort of pattern or theory

Thanks a lot
Abiyo
 
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abiyo said:
So I was just wondering if there is a formula for the number of ways a number can be written
as a sum of squares?(Without including negatives, zero or repeats). For example 5=2^2+1^2. (There is only one way for 5).

This is complicated, see
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SumofSquaresFunction.html

abiyo said:
Second question along this line is: In how many ways can a number be written as a sum of primes(i.e a sum of two primes, three primes ).

About exp(2 Pi sqrt(n/log n) / sqrt(3)). I don't imagine there is a nice closed-form formula.
http://oeis.org/A000607

abiyo said:
Third Question: 10=2+3+5 Thus 10 can be written as a sum of maximum three prime numbers; no more. Is there such an upper bound for other numbers? I was doing this for
small numbers but would be interesting to see if there is some sort of pattern or theory

Can you be more specific? This is ambiguous.
 
Thanks CRGreatHouse. Sorry the last question is worded badly. What I wanted to ask is

Pick an integer n. We want to find partition of n into its prime parts. For example
10=7+3
10=2+3+5

There are two partitions of 10 into primes. The first one involves two primes, the second
involves three primes. The claim then is that 3 is the maximum partition of 10 into primes.
3 is the longest partition.

Now let me choose some arbitrary integer(large n). I might have x number of partitions of
n into prime parts. I want to determine the longest partition. (how many prime numbers
are involved at maximum).

Is there a formula or a theoretical treatment?

Thanks a lot once again
(My English is terrible. sorry if this is confusing again)
 

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