Rado's criterion over squares and higher powers

Abstract

We establish partition regularity of the generalised Pythagorean equation in five or more variables. Furthermore, we show how Rado's characterisation of a partition regular equation remains valid over the set of positive $k$th powers, provided the equation has at least $(1+o(1))k\log k$ variables. We thus completely describe which diagonal forms are partition regular and which are not, given sufficiently many variables. In addition, we prove a supersaturated version of Rado's theorem for a linear equation restricted either to squares minus one or to logarithmically-smooth numbers.