Problem

Source: Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad 2023, Level 2, Problem 3

Tags: system of equations, Diophantine Equations, number theory



Let $n$ be a positive integer. Show that there are integers $x_1, x_2, \ldots , x_n$, not all equal, satisfying $$\begin{cases} x_1^2+x_2+x_3+\ldots+x_n=0 \\ x_1+x_2^2+x_3+\ldots+x_n=0 \\ x_1+x_2+x_3^2+\ldots+x_n=0 \\ \vdots \\ x_1+x_2+x_3+\ldots+x_n^2=0 \end{cases}$$if, and only if, $2n-1$ is not prime.