On the sum of squares of the middle-third Cantor set (Q2004938)

Let \(\alpha > 1\) and let \(([0,1], f_1, f_2)\) be an iterated function system on \([0,1]\) where \(f_1(x) := r x\) and \(f_2(x) := rx + 1-r\) with \(r = \frac12(1-\frac1\alpha)\). The attractor of this iterated function system is the middle - \(\frac1\alpha\) Cantor set \(C_\alpha\). The main result of this paper is the following: \[ \{x_1^2+x_2^2+x_3^2+x_4^2 : x_i\in C_\alpha\} = [0,4]\quad\Longleftrightarrow\quad \alpha \geq 3. \] This result answers a previous conjecture by Arthreya et al. in the positive.