How many solution are there to the equation $n_1^4+n_2^4+…+n_{16}^4=65536$ with non-negative integers

contest-mathnumber theoryproblem solving

How many solution are there to the equation $n_1^4+n_2^4+…+n_{16}^4=65536$ with non-negative integers ($n_1,n_2,…,n_{16}$), of which at least two are consecutive?

I know $65536=2^{16}=16^4$ but I cant find any solutions and I don't know how to prove there aren't any solutions

solutions, suggestions and hints would all be appreciated

from the 2018 South African Senior Team Competition
http://www.samf.ac.za/content/files/QuestionPapers/2018_Senior_Team_COMBO.pdf

Best Answer

Nate's hint (that $n^4 \equiv 0,1 \mod 16$ depending on whether $n$ is even or odd, respectively) gives you the answer. Since $65536\equiv 0 \mod 16$, if any of the $n_i$ are odd, then all of the $n_i$ must be odd so that their sum is $16\equiv 0 \mod 16$. But there are no two consecutive odd numbers. If you then look at all $n_i$ being even, you have the same problem. So there is no solution containing two consecutive values of $n_i$.