Sums of consecutive squares which result in a square (Q815028)

The authors consider the Diophantine equation \( \sum_{j=1}^{n-1}(x+j)^2= y^2. \) They observe that for \(n=3k^2-1\) and \(n=(6k\pm 1)^2\) the equation has at least one integral solution. Moreover if \(n=3k^2-1\) is not a perfect square, then the Diophantine equation has infinitely many solutions. The authors also find necessary (but not sufficient) conditions for the existence of integral solutions. In the case of rational solutions they can prove also sufficient conditions, by using Hilbert symbols.