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'''Fermat's last theorem''' is an algebraic statement proposed by [[Pierre de Fermat]]. |
'''Fermat's last theorem''' is an algebraic statement proposed by [[Pierre de Fermat]]. |
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| − | Following his death, a [[mathematics|mathematical]] formula was found scrawled in the margin of his notes, "x<sup>n</sup> + y<sup>n</sup> = z<sup>n</sup>, where n is greater than 2 |
+ | Following his death, a [[mathematics|mathematical]] formula was found scrawled in the margin of his notes, "x<sup>n</sup> + y<sup>n</sup> = z<sup>n</sup>, where n is greater than 2," which Fermat said had no solution in whole numbers, but he also added a phrase, "remarkable proof." |
According to [[Jean-Luc Picard]], people have been trying to find the proof for [[16th century|800 years]], including himself, during his pastime. Picard found it stimulating, and noted that it put things in perspective stating that "''in our arrogance, we feel we are so advanced and yet we cannot unravel a simple knot tied by a part-time [[French]] [[mathematician]] working alone without a [[computer]].''" ({{TNG|The Royale}}) |
According to [[Jean-Luc Picard]], people have been trying to find the proof for [[16th century|800 years]], including himself, during his pastime. Picard found it stimulating, and noted that it put things in perspective stating that "''in our arrogance, we feel we are so advanced and yet we cannot unravel a simple knot tied by a part-time [[French]] [[mathematician]] working alone without a [[computer]].''" ({{TNG|The Royale}}) |
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[[Jadzia Dax]] stated that one of her previous hosts, [[Tobin Dax]], had "''the most original approach to the proof since [[Andrew Wiles|Wiles]] over 300 years ago.''" ({{DS9|Facets}}) |
[[Jadzia Dax]] stated that one of her previous hosts, [[Tobin Dax]], had "''the most original approach to the proof since [[Andrew Wiles|Wiles]] over 300 years ago.''" ({{DS9|Facets}}) |
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| − | {{bginfo|{{e|The Royale}} aired in {{y|1989}}, six years before a proof for Fermat's last theorem was published by Andrew Wiles, using advanced 20<sup>th</sup> century mathematics. |
+ | {{bginfo|{{e|The Royale}} aired in {{y|1989}}, six years before a proof for Fermat's last theorem was published by Andrew Wiles, using advanced 20<sup>th</sup> century mathematics. Fermat's original proof is still unknown, and some mathematicians question whether it ever even existed.}} |
== External link == |
== External link == |
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Revision as of 22:48, 29 January 2013
Fermat's last theorem
Fermat's last theorem is an algebraic statement proposed by Pierre de Fermat.
Following his death, a mathematical formula was found scrawled in the margin of his notes, "xn + yn = zn, where n is greater than 2," which Fermat said had no solution in whole numbers, but he also added a phrase, "remarkable proof."
According to Jean-Luc Picard, people have been trying to find the proof for 800 years, including himself, during his pastime. Picard found it stimulating, and noted that it put things in perspective stating that "in our arrogance, we feel we are so advanced and yet we cannot unravel a simple knot tied by a part-time French mathematician working alone without a computer." (TNG: "The Royale")
Jadzia Dax stated that one of her previous hosts, Tobin Dax, had "the most original approach to the proof since Wiles over 300 years ago." (DS9: "Facets")