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Line 1: − + − − Fermat's most famous equation is [[Fermat's Last Theorem]], which was not proven until American mathematician Andrew Wiles published his proof in, in conjuction with others, in 1995. − − − +
improved
[[Image:Pierre de Fermat.jpg|thumb|right|Pierre de Fermat]]
[[Image:Pierre de Fermat.jpg|thumb|right|Pierre de Fermat]]
Frenchman '''Pierre de Fermat''' (1601–1665) was one of the two leading mathematicians of the early 1600s, the other being [[Rene Descartes]]. Fermat was a founder of the modern theory of numbers, discovered the fundamental principle of analytic geometry (independent of Descartes' work) and helped found the theory of probability (with [[Blaise Pascal]]). By trade Fermat was a lawyer.
Frenchman '''Pierre de Fermat''' (1601–1665) was one of the two leading mathematicians of the early 1600s, the other being [[Rene Descartes]]. Fermat was a founder of the modern theory of numbers, discovered the fundamental principle of analytic geometry (independent of Descartes' work) and helped found the theory of probability (with [[Blaise Pascal]]). By trade Fermat was a lawyer, and he pursued [[mathematics]] purely as a hobby. In that sense he is considered the greatest amateur [[mathematician]] ever.
Fermat's most famous equation is [[Fermat's Last Theorem]], which was not proven until mathematician Andrew Wiles relied on the controversial [[Axiom of Choice]] and [[hyperbolic geometry]] to publish an abstract proof, in conjuction with others, in 1995.
A Fermat number is a positive integer of the form
A Fermat number is a positive integer of the form