Number Theory – Generalized 4-Variable Diophantine Equation

diophantine equationselementary-number-theory

The diophantine equation $(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)^2 = 2(a^4+b^4+c^4+d^4)$, which it's the case of Descartes' circle theorem where all curvature are integer perfect squares, was cleverly solved by Euler noticing some pythagorean triples. Generalising, if instead of 2 there was another number, is it still possible to use some similar trick? In particular, it's possible to find a parametrization to the primitive integer solutions of $(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)^2 = 3(a^4+b^4+c^4+d^4)$?
Thanks in advance.

Best Answer

$$(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)^2=3(a^4+b^4+c^4+d^4)$$ Let assume $c=a+b,$ then we get $$a^2+ab+b^2=d^2$$ A parametric solution is given $$(a,b,c,d)=(p^2-q^2, 2pq+q^2, p^2+2pq, q^2+pq+p^2)$$ where $p,q$ are any integer.

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