[Math] If the number $a$ is equal to sum of square of two different numbers then $2a$ is also sum of square of two numbers.

elementary-number-theory

I am having problem in solving this question:

If a number $a$ is equal to sum of square of two different natural numbers then $2a$ is also equal to sum of square of two unequal natural numbers.

I cannot find my way through it.

Please help.

Best Answer

A solution using Gaussian integers, which perhaps clarifies a point.

By assumption $a = x^2 + y^2 = (x + i y) (x - i y)$.

Then $$ 2 a = (1 + i) (1 -i) (x + i y) (x - i y) = ((x-y) + i (x+y)) ((x-y) - i (x+y)), $$ so that $$ 2 a = (x-y)^2 + (x+y)^2 $$ and now use the fact that $x \ne y$.