Sums of \(n\)-th powers in fields of prime characteristic (Q2646008)

Let \(F\) be a finite field of prime characteristic \(p\). The main results proved are as follows: (1) If \(F\) is a finite field, then any element of \(F\) which is expressible as a sum of \(n\)th powers is a sum of \(n\) \(n\)th powers. This follows easily from the consideration of the elements representable by \(r\) \(n\)th powers but not by \(r-1\), where \(r = 1, 2,\ldots\). (2) If \(p > n\), every element of \(F\) is a sum of \(n(n+1)\) \(n\)th powers. This is proved by solving the linear equations \((a + r)^n = a^n + \binom n1 a^{n-1}r + \ldots + r^n\) \((r=1, 2,\ldots,n-1)\), with \(a, a^2,\ldots, a^{n-1}\) as unknowns, for \(a\). (3) If \(F\) is infinite, and \(p\nmid n\), then every element of \(F\) is expressible as a sum of \(n\)th powers. (4) If \(q\) is a prime, there is at most one perfect field of characteristic \(p\) for which not every element is a sum of \(q\)th powers. Such a field exists if und only if \(q=1+p^f +p^{2f} + \ldots+ p^{mf}\).