Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problem

by Simon Singh

Book Overview

xn + yn = zn, where n represents 3, 4, 5, ...no solution "I have discovered a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain." With these words, the seventeenth-century French mathematician Pierre de Fermat threw down the gauntlet to future generations. What came to be known as Fermat's Last Theorem looked simple; proving it, however, became the Holy Grail of mathematics, baffling its finest minds for...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385493622
• ISBN13: 9780385493628
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.9" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

quintessential Singh, illuminating, entertaining

Simon Singh is really a treasure, a gifted mind who can take the obtuse and complex and illuminate in understandable terms and in an engaging manner. I loved The Code Book for its translation of the babble of cryptography into easy to understand terms, and the author's ability to set a discipline into its human and historical environment. Simon is one of the finest scientific 'popularizers' around.

A fantastic trip through mathematics and history

After enjoying Singh's "The Code Book" I picked up a copy of Fermat's Enigma. The problem itself was somewhat interesting to me, but I hoped Singh presentation of the story would be as good as "The Code Book". I wasn't disappointed. The solution to the problem is wrapped in a compelling story that takes you through the history of mathematics, starting before Fermat's time. Along the way Singh takes time to point out both the highlights and tragedies of mathematics, while weaving in elements of Andrew Wiles' life.While the math behind the final solution to be problem may be out of reach for most people, Singh successfully communicates the essence of the mathematics used. The book is not complex or saturated with equations and is accessible to just about anyone. For those more interested in the mathematics, Singh includes a complete set of appendices containing problems and proofs from each era of mathematics he discusses.All in all, a great read. Highly recommended.

Think of the book as a great mystery?

For if you are to approach this book as a work that will lead you to an understanding of a theorem that took 350 years to solve, you might miss a great tale. As others have stated, High School Math will suffice, and for those who may be a bit rusty in Math in any event, the book is still very much worthwhile. The book mentions that some of the Math is understood by perhaps 5 people in the world. If high-level Math concepts were required to enjoy this book, the Author could just have made half a dozen copies.A notation in a margin started 350 years of effort to solve, or rather prove a theorem that Pierre de Fermat described thusly "I have discovered a truly marvelous proof, which this margin is too narrow to contain". I recently read a comment by Stephen Jay Gould that Mr. Fermat may not have known the proof. His suggestion was that no amount of space allotted by any margin would allow for the proof. I certainly am not qualified to question either individual, but the space eventually used for the proof 356 years later by Professor Andrew Wiles of Princeton may answer the query for you.Math is often put forth to show something that is universally true, a discipline that transcends language, Nations, and their Cultures. Math "is" and always will be, it allows for no opinion, it works or it does not. This book exposes the reader to a lifetime fascination for Professor Wiles, as well as the 7 years of near isolation it took to solve the mystery. If I understood the text, there were actually requirements needed for the proof that the mechanics for expressing those thoughts with Math did not exist, for Professor Wiles or anyone else. He could not invent truths, but he, and many who worked on this theorem for centuries were required to create new tools, prove the new tools were indeed valid themselves, and then use them to further their quest for the ultimate answer.The book is also a Historical work of the science and those that labored for the better part of 4 centuries for the answer. It is a remarkable achievement, and it makes for a great use of one's reading time. As for the Author Mr. Simon Singh, he must be given tremendous thanks for his ability to bring this story to a wide audience that otherwise would have had no access to the famous enigma of Mr. Fermat.Fascinating!

Superb combination of historical progress and modern drama.

As an undergraduate math major in the late 1970's, I remember how my algebra professor used to chuckle that anyone who solved the Fermat conjecture would get an "A" in his course. (Some of us got A's anyway.) So I had to pick up a copy of this book when I saw it, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Singh does a wonderful job of intertwining the history of Andrew Wiles' life-long fascination with the Fermat conjecture with the history of attempts to solve the problem through the centuries. The necessity for Euler to introduce complex variables into his solution for the case n = 3 gives the first indication that Fermat was probably toying with (ultimately) many generations of mathematicians who would never find a proof that could "fit neatly in the margin" of a page. While it takes a fairly broad background in mathematics to appreciate the book, one does not need to be a specialist in algebraic number theory to follow Singh's historical development of the progress toward final solution.The description of Wiles' attempt to keep his work secret, and of the inadequacy of his first attempt at proof, reads like a first-rate cliffhanger. A splendid read.

A captivating tale of human perseverance and achievement

Simon Singh manages to hold the reader in constant suspense, from his description of the origins of modern day mathemathics in Ancient Greece, to Wiles' eventual triumph in solving one of the World's most lasting mathematical enigmas - Fermat's Last Theorem. The statement of Fermat's Last Theorem appears so simple, yet it survived rigorous scrutiny and remained unsolved for hundreds of years. Enter Andrew Wiles, the timid mathematician who became so engrossed in tryng to solve the problem that he lived in hermit-like conditions for seven years. Singh seemingly enters into the very soul of Wiles, vivedly describing his secret seven year quest, the elation at solving Fermat's Last Theorem, the sheer horror of discovering an error and the eventual triumph of finally succeeding. The reader is left with an undisputed admiration for the character of Wiles and it is guaranteed that this book will leave a lasting impression.