Waring's problem for cubes and squares over a finite field of even characteristic (Q2501396)

This paper treats some cases not covered by the previous articles of the author concerning Waring's problem in \({\mathbb F}_q[t]\), the polynomial ring over the finite field \({\mathbb F}_q\) [see, for example, \textit{M. Car} and \textit{L. Gallardo}, ``Sums of cubes of polynomials'', Acta Arith. 112, No. 1, 41--50 (2004; Zbl 1062.11078), and \textit{L. Gallardo}, ``Waring's problem for polynomial cubes and squares over a finite field with odd characteristic'', Port. Math. (N.S.) 61, No. 1, 35--49 (2004; Zbl 1048.11099)]. It is said in this paper that a polynomial \(P\in{\mathbb F}_q[t]\) is a strict sum of \(s\) cubes, if \(P=c_1^3+\cdots+c_s^3\) for some polynomials \(c_i\in {\mathbb F}_q[t]\) satisfying \(\deg(c_i^3)<\deg(P)+3\). Now write \(M(q)\) for the set of all the polynomials in \({\mathbb F}_q[t]\) that are strict sums of \(s\) cubes for some \(s\). It is shown here that \(M(q)={\mathbb F}_q[t]\) unless \(q\in\{2,4\}\), while the sets \(M(2)\) and \(M(4)\) are determined concretely. And, for \(q=2\) and 4, it is proved that every \(P\in M(q)\) is a strict sum of nine cubes. In a similar manner as above, the notion of strict sums of cubes and squares is introduced, and \(S(q)\) denotes the set of such polynomials in \({\mathbb F}_q[t]\). As regards the latter sets, it is shown here that \(S(q)={\mathbb F}_q[t]\) when \(q\neq4\), and the set \(S(4)\) is described explicitly. And it is proved that every \(P\in S(4)\) is a strict sum of four cubes and a square in \({\mathbb F}_4[t]\). These theorems are proved via an elementary argument by using various polynomial identities. In addition, the author finds, by running a computer, that for \(q=2\) and 4, there are polynomials in \(M(q)\) that are not strict sums of three cubes, and also that some polynomials in \(S(4)\) are not strict sums of two cubes and a square.