On the representation of integers as sums of an odd number of squares (Q953256)

From the text: In a recent work, \textit{S. Cooper} [J. Number Theory 103, No. 2, 135--162 (2003; Zbl 1078.11023)] conjectured a formula for \(r_{2k+1}(p^2)\), the number of ways \(p^2\) can be expressed as a sum of \(2k+1\) squares. Inspired by this conjecture, we obtain an explicit formula for \(r_{2k+1}(n^2)\), \(n\geq 1\). We use the theory of modular forms, especially the Shimura correspondence between modular forms of half-integral weight and modular forms of integral weight, for getting our result. Though this method was suggested by A. G. van Asch, there are no explicit formulae for general \(r_{2k+1}(n^2)\) available in the literature. This is mainly because of the lack of explicit basis for the space of cusp forms of weight \(2k\) on \(\Gamma_0(2)\). The major part of our work is to construct a nice basis for the vector space of cusp forms of weight \(2k\) and level 2. The Fourier coefficients of these basis elements are rational integers and are expressed in terms of eta-quotients.