# Math Help - [SOLVED] Sum of Two Squares

1. Originally Posted by Samson
So the best way to describe it for 1295 is to show those odd prime factors and explain that since 7 is one of them, this means that it cannot be the sum of two squares (because 5 and 37 both can be written as the sum of 2 squares, but 7 cannot). Does that seem correct?
You have to point out that 7 occurs with odd power.

2. Originally Posted by undefined
You have to point out that 7 occurs with odd power.
So you're saying my "proof" of sorts was wrong? What do you mean that 7 occurs with "odd power" (and how does it relate) ?

3. Originally Posted by Samson
So you're saying my "proof" of sorts was wrong? What do you mean that 7 occurs with "odd power" (and how does it relate) ?
Consider the number 9065 = 5 * 7^2 * 37.

This number can be written as a sum of two squares, because 7 occurs with even power (two is the even number I'm referring to). In 1295, the power is odd (one).

This condition is in the text I quoted from the Wikipedia article.

4. Thank you! I followed the link better with that explanation :-)

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