Difference between revisions of "Fermat's Last Theorem"
m |
m |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
For integers n > 2, there are no integral solutions to: x<sup>n</sup> + y<sup>n</sup> = z<sup>n</sup> | For integers n > 2, there are no integral solutions to: x<sup>n</sup> + y<sup>n</sup> = z<sup>n</sup> | ||
| − | 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]] claimed to have proved this using techniques in algebraic geometry. Critics pointed out a flaw in his proof, however. 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 was largely accepted by the mathematical community. | In a series of lectures in 1993, mathematician [[Andrew Wiles]] claimed to have proved this using techniques in algebraic geometry. Critics pointed out a flaw in his proof, however. 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 was largely accepted by the mathematical community. | ||
[[Category:Mathematics]] | [[Category:Mathematics]] | ||
Revision as of 06:21, March 27, 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. He then died before anyone could obtain 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, as evidenced by the fact that he later proved the n = 4 case separately.
The theorem is as follows:
For integers n > 2, there are no 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 claimed to have proved this using techniques in algebraic geometry. Critics pointed out a flaw in his proof, however. 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 was largely accepted by the mathematical community.