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$0, 1, 2$ is an example of three consecutive non-negative integers $n, n+1, n+2$ which are each the sum of two integer squares. Using modular arithmetic you can prove that in all of these triplets $n \equiv 0 \pmod 8$ .

Now I'm wondering, is there a way to find all such triplets? Below are two ways I've found which generate infinite triplets, but not all:


Because $(a^2 + b^2)(c^2 + d^2) = (ac - bd)^2 + (ad + bc)^2$, you can take any triplet (except $0, 1, 2$ which will give itself) and generate a new triplet. If $n, n+1, n+2$ is the chosen triplet then the following is also a triplet:

$n(n+2) = n^2 + 2n$

$(n+1)^2 + 0^2 = n^2 + 2n + 1$

$(n+1)^2 + 1^2 = n^2 + 2n + 2$


Assume that there exists a triplet in the following form (letting $b^2 = 2a^2 + 1$):

$a^2 + a^2 = 2a^2$

$2a^2 + 1 = b^2 + 0^2$

$2a^2 + 2 = b^2 + 1$

Solving $b^2 = 2a^2 + 1$ using the convergents for $\sqrt 2$ you'll find that every second convergent ($3/2$, $17/12$, $99/70$, etc.) will be in the form $b/a$.

For example:

$70^2 + 70^2 = 9800$

$99^2 + 0^2 = 9801$

$99^2 + 1^2 = 9802$

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    I believe you can find a complete solution. Here's one possible attack: 1. Let $n = n_1^2+n_2^2$ for integers $n_1,n_2 \ge 0$. 2. Rearrange the double relation $n_1^2+n_2^2+2=n_3^2+n_4^2+1=n_5^2+n_6^2$ so that you can [twice] apply Cauchy’s classical solution to the linear equation $rX+sY+tZ=0.$ 3. “Simplify”. Obviously, Step 3 is the hardest. ;)2016-08-04

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The numbers $4n^4+4n^2,4n^4+4n^2+1,4n^4+4n^2+2$ are all sums of two squares, so there's another infinite family. I don't think you're going to find a useful formula that will give all solutions, but I don't see how to prove this.