Fermat's Last Theorem

副标题: Unlocking the Secret of an Ancient Mathematical Problem

ISBN: 9781841157917

出版社: Fourth Estate Ltd

出版年: 2002-6-5

页数: 368

定价: 102.00元

装帧: Paperback

内容简介

The extraordinary story of the solving of a puzzle that has confounded mathematicians since the 17th century. The solution of Fermat's Last Theorem is the most important mathematical development of the 20th century. In 1963 a schoolboy browsing in his local library stumbled across the world's greatest mathematical problem: Fermat's Last Theorem, a puzzle that every child can understand but which has baffled mathematicians for over 300 years. Aged just ten, Andrew Wiles dreamed that he would crack it. Wiles's lifelong obsession with a seemingly simple challenge set by a long-dead Frenchman is an emotional tale of sacrifice and extraordinary determination. In the end, Wiles was forced to work in secrecy and isolation for seven years, harnessing all the power of modern maths to achieve his childhood dream. Many before him had tried and failed, including a 18-century philanderer who was killed in a duel. An 18-century Frenchwoman made a major breakthrough in solving the riddle, but she had to attend maths lectures at the Ecole Polytechnique disguised as a man since women were forbidden entry to the school. A remarkable story of human endeavour and intellectual brilliance over three centuries, Fermat 's Last Theorem will fascinate both specialist and general readers.

作者简介

西蒙?辛格（Simon Singh）出生于萨默塞特耶，具有印度旁遮普血统，曾在伦敦帝国学院学习物理，并在剑桥大学获得粒子物理学博士学位。在BBC电视台《明日世界》工作5年后，于1996年为《地平线》系列节目合作制作和导演了关于费马大定理的获奖记录片。

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