Exercise · ZW-SUM-OF-TWO-SQUARES-003 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which of these numbers is NOT a sum of two squares?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. \(3\)

Explanation

The number \(3\) is prime with \(3 \equiv 3 \pmod{4}\), so it cannot be written as a sum of two squares; the other three can.

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Review the concept: Sum of two squares

An integer \(n\) is a sum of two squares if it can be written as the sum of the squares of two integers.

\[n = x^{2} + y^{2}\]

More practice problems: sum of two squares

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