On the number of zeros of diagonal cubic forms (Q5906142)

Let \(M_s\) be the number of solutions to the equation \(x_1^3 +\cdots+x_s^3 = 0\) in a finite field of \(q\) elements. It is shown that the numbers \(M_s\) satisfy a linear recurrence and the generating function for the sequence \(\{M_s\}\) is found. In the special case of the prime field \((q = p\), a prime) the results coincide with those of \textit{S. Chowla}, \textit{J. Cowles} and \textit{M. Cowles} [J. Number Theory 9, 502--506 (1977; Zbl 0363.10013)]. The author also states the corresponding results for the equation \(x_1^4 +\cdots+ x_s^4 = 0\).