On Waring-Goldbach problem involving fourth powers (Q538159)

It is proved that every sufficiently large positive integer \(N\equiv 13\pmod{240}\) can be represented as \(p_1^4+p_2^4+\dots +p_{12}^4+P^4\), where \(p_1,\dots,p_{12}\) are primes and \(P\) is a \(P_5\)-almost prime. For comparison we note that \textit{K. Kawada} and \textit{T. D. Wooley} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 83, No. 1, 1--50 (2001; Zbl 1016.11046)] have handled sums of 14 fourth powers of primes (with no almost-primes), while \textit{X. Ren} and \textit{K.-M. Tsang} [J. Number Theory 108, No. 1, 90--110 (2004; Zbl 1054.11053)] have dealt with sums of 12 fourth powers of primes plus one unrestricted fourth power. The paper uses a key estimate from the work of Kawada and Wooley cited above, which is combined with sieve techniques, including the use of Chen's reversal of rôles trick.