Difference between revisions of "Fermat's Last Theorem"
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In the summer of 1986, Ken Ribet proved that Fermat's Last Theorem is a special case of the [[Taniyama–Shimura Conjecture]]. | In the summer of 1986, Ken Ribet proved that Fermat's Last Theorem is a special case of the [[Taniyama–Shimura Conjecture]]. | ||
| − | In a series of lectures in 1993, mathematician [[Andrew Wiles]] announced a proof using techniques in algebraic geometry, relying on the disfavored [[Axiom of Choice]].<ref>http://jimcaprioli.blogspot.com/2005/04/fermats-last-theorem.html</ref> A flaw was found before publication. Wiles spent a year trying to fix the flaw, and in September 1994, he and Richard Taylor announced a new version of the proof that is not widely understood but is no longer criticized by the | + | In a series of lectures in 1993, mathematician [[Andrew Wiles]] announced a proof using techniques in algebraic geometry, relying on the disfavored [[Axiom of Choice]].<ref>http://jimcaprioli.blogspot.com/2005/04/fermats-last-theorem.html</ref> A flaw was found before publication. Wiles spent a year trying to fix the flaw, and in September 1994, he and Richard Taylor announced a new version of the proof that is not widely understood but is no longer criticized by university-based mathematicians. However, criticism does continue on the internet.<ref>http://wiles.coolissues.com/wiles.htm</ref> |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 03:34, August 16, 2007
Fermat's Last Theorem was conjectured by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat. He said he had proved this problem but that there was not enough room in the margin to state his proof.
This problem has confounded mathematicians for centuries, and there still is no proof for it using elementary techniques. Most doubt that Fermat was able to prove it himself.
The theorem is as follows:
For integers n > 2, there are no nonzero integral solutions to: xn + yn = zn
In the summer of 1986, Ken Ribet proved that Fermat's Last Theorem is a special case of the Taniyama–Shimura Conjecture.
In a series of lectures in 1993, mathematician Andrew Wiles announced a proof using techniques in algebraic geometry, relying on the disfavored Axiom of Choice.[1] A flaw was found before publication. Wiles spent a year trying to fix the flaw, and in September 1994, he and Richard Taylor announced a new version of the proof that is not widely understood but is no longer criticized by university-based mathematicians. However, criticism does continue on the internet.[2]