Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#1

Post by 1970-01-01 » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 8:42 PM UTC

Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles
pbs.org

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#2

Post by albert_e » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 2:40 PM UTC

This was an excellent introduction to this topic:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem_(book) by Simon Singh

But I am not sure if the book covers the mistake and later correction. It has been more than a decade since I read the book (and became a fan of the author).

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#3

Post by chris_st » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 2:44 PM UTC

albert_e wrote: post #2

This was an excellent introduction to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem_(book) by Simon Singh But I am not sure if the book covers the mistake and later correction. It has been more than a decade since I read the book (and became a fan of the author).

I'll check that out - I loved his "The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography". Excellent introduction to cryptography.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#4

Post by clarkeni » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 2:45 PM UTC

albert_e wrote: post #2

This was an excellent introduction to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem_(book) by Simon Singh But I am not sure if the book covers the mistake and later correction. It has been more than a decade since I read the book (and became a fan of the author).

It does! Very dramatic part of the book.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#5

Post by matthewfelgate » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 2:57 PM UTC

I have a truly marvellous comment on this, which this comment box is too small to contain.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#6

Post by fnands » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

From 2000.

Posting because he's retiring this year?

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#7

Post by WD-42 » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

albert_e wrote: post #2

This was an excellent introduction to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem_(book) by Simon Singh But I am not sure if the book covers the mistake and later correction. It has been more than a decade since I read the book (and became a fan of the author).

It does. That’s all part of the drama.

One of the best books I’ve ever read.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#8

Post by FeepingCreature » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:09 PM UTC

This is the most offensively-themed serious site I have ever seen.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#9

Post by fnands » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

FeepingCreature wrote: post #8

This is the most offensively-themed serious site I have ever seen.

In their defense, this probably looked really cool in 2000, when this was published (or at least, last updated).

But agreed, that lime green is horrendous.

Re: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles

#10

Post by stogot » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:13 PM UTC

WD-42 wrote: post #7

albert_e wrote: post #2

This was an excellent introduction to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat%27s_Last_Theorem_(book) by Simon Singh But I am not sure if the book covers the mistake and later correction. It has been more than a decade since I read the book (and became a fan of the author).

It does. That’s all part of the drama. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

Would it be good on audio?