Infinite easier Waring constants for commutative rings (Q639712)

Any sum or difference of squares in any commutative ring can be written as \(x^2+y^2-z^2.\) The same is true for some exponents different from 2. The answer for cubes is unknown. The author gives a proof for the following result announced in 1978: If \(n \geq 2\), there is a commutative ring \(R\) with arbitrary long sums or differences of \(2^n\)-powers (which cannot be shortened).