New solutions to the Hurwitz problem on square identities (Q649857)

A square identity of size \([r, s, N]\) is an identity \((a_1^2 +\cdots +a_r^2)(b_1^2+\cdots+b_s^2)\) = \(c_1^2+\cdots+c_N^2\), where \(a_1,\ldots,a_r\) and \(b_1,\ldots,b_s\) are independent indeterminates and each \(c_i\) is a bilinear form in \((a_1,\ldots,a_r)\) and \((b_1,\ldots,b_s)\) with integer coefficients. The problem to determine all triples of positive integers \(r, s, N\) for which there exist a square identity of size \([r, s, N]\) was formulated by Hurwitz and remains widely open. Such triples are called admissible. The authors of this paper obtain infinite families of admissible triples \([r, s, N]\). In the proof they use certain algebras, which they call twisted group algebras over \((\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})^n\). They also include some historical remarks.