The World's Most Famous Math Problem: The Proof of Fermat's Last Theorem and Other Mathematical Mysteries

by Marilyn vos Savant

Book Overview

June 23, 1993. A Princeton mathematician announces that he has unlocked, after thousands of unsuccessful attempts by others, the greatest mathematical riddle in the world. Dr. Wiles demonstrates to a group of stunned mathematicians that he has provided the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem (the equation x" + y" = z", where n is an integer greater than 2, has no solution in positive numbers), a problem that has confounded scholars for over 350...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312106572
• ISBN13: 9780312106577
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A review of these reviews

Ah, these poor little threatened egos on display: How dare anyone contradict the university professionals? How dare anyone have an opinion outside the status quo? How dare any publisher even consider a book not from a fully affiliated tenured and chaired professor of mathematics? Where is peer review when we need it? I especially enjoyed the brag of vandalism. Savonarola would be proud.

Im SO excited

Isn't it just marvelous, finally a chance to polish up my knowledge of the worlds most famous maths problem. I can't tell you how much me and my wife have enjoyed, and been entregued by this. Night-after-night, just laying down on the hay, having a laugh with this top quality piece of material. Maths world here I come.

Excellent, honest book

This is a fantastic book! I especially like the fact that she highlights several problems with the current state of mathematics, drawing this field (and maybe all of modern science) into question.Few people dare to question science, but Marilyn has done so, and she has good reason for it. If half of the scientists of the world were in politics, the world would be a much better place. Politics is in dire need of minds capable of flexible, yet rigorous thinking, and scientists are experts at this sort of thing.Bravo, Marilyn!

Waist [sic] of time? review on May 21, 1999

Before one expounds on the ineptness of the book in question, perhaps one should check their English to find the the correct word to have used was Waste. It is difficult to agree with ones opinion of anothers understanding of one field of study, when their chosen form of criticism is lacking in the fundamental basics. On a side note, the correct verb usage should be "doesn't" since it is referring to a singular subject.

Questions about the T.V. serious on same subject

Around August 1998 I saw a program on TV about Wiles and The Proof. If anyone has any information on where I can find this program and buy a tape please forward that to me. Thank you very much