Composition formula for $ax^2 \pm by^2$

46 Views Asked by At

It is well known that $(x^2+y^2)(u^2+v^2)=(xu+yv)^2 + (xv-uy)^2$, thus it suffices to characterize the primes $p$ with $x^2+y^2=p$. Are there any similar composition formulae for $ax^2+by^2$ and $ax^2-by^2$?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

4
On

$$q(ac+nbd)^2+n(ad-qbc)^2=(a^2+nqb^2)(qc^2+nd^2)$$

We must remember that then can be reduced by a common factor.