Do not ask or answer this type of question in /r/math. Homework problems, practice problems, and similar questions should be directed to /r/learnmath, /r/homeworkhelp or /r/cheatatmathhomework. This includes reference requests - also see our list of free online resources and recommended books. If you're asking for help learning/understanding something mathematical, post in the Quick Questions thread or /r/learnmath. Requests for calculation or estimation of real-world problems and values are best suited for the Quick Questions thread, /r/askmath or /r/theydidthemath. For example, if you think your question can be answered quickly, you should instead post it in the Quick Questions thread. Questions on /r/math should spark discussion. Rule 2: Questions should spark discussion Please avoid derailing such discussions into general political discussion, and report any comments that do so. In particular, any political discussion on /r/math should be directly related to mathematics - all threads and comments should be about concrete events and how they affect mathematics. I'm John Lienhard, at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work.All posts and comments should be directly related to mathematics, including topics related to the practice, profession and community of mathematics. I'm Andy Boyd at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work. In doing so, he opened new research vistas, and carved his place in history by proving one of the most famous mathematical results ever known - a result that you've read about - Fermat's Last Theorem. For decades thereafter it would continue to tantalize people from all walks of life.įinally, in June of 1993, a prominent article on the front page of the New York Times declared "At Last, Shout of ' Eureka!' In Age-Old Math Mystery." After more than 350 years Andrew Wiles had finally laid it to rest. " With that, the French conceded the medal to the German.Īs for the problem, the public failure of two leading mathematicians only served to enhance its mystique and its allure to future generations. Ten years later, it would be Cauchy who would write the closing report on the prize competition, stating, "the question remains … where Monsieur Kummer left it … the Academy would make an honorable and useful decision if, by withdrawing the question from competition, it would the medal to. He continued to publish results on the problem for several weeks, but eventually realized his efforts were fruitless. "If only you had been here in Paris," wrote Lamé, "or I in Berlin, all of this would not have happened."Ĭauchy, on the other hand, felt he could overcome the barriers raised by Kummer. Feeling humiliated, he sent a letter to a close colleague in Berlin. From a distance, he followed the proceedings of the Academy, and concluded that Lamé and Cauchy were headed down a dead end. Kummer, who when he was young had lost his father as the result of a Napoleonic campaign, had no great love for the French. In his hands was a note from German mathematician Ernst Kummer. Twelve weeks after the race began, speculation came to an end as Joseph Liouville stood before the French Academy. Who would be first? What thrilling new mathematics would bring this notorious problem to its knees? Through March, April, and May, Lamé and Cauchy continued to share details of their work before the Academy albeit, sketchy ones and anticipation grew. He, too, had been working on the problem using techniques very similar to those of Lamé, and was about to publish a proof of his own. When Lamé finished his presentation, Augustin Cauchy stepped forward and asked for permission to speak. Still, when such an esteemed mathematician stepped forward to proclaim that a proof was imminent, this was cause for excitement. The salons in Paris were abuzz ever since the French Academy had offered a gold medal and a prize of 3000 francs for the problem's solution. It was no surprise that Lamé was working on it. Author Simon Singh tells how Gabriel Lamé had just finished announcing to a crowd of eminent mathematicians that he was on the verge of solving an infamously difficult problem a problem that had defied the efforts of the world's greatest minds for over two centuries. On March 1st 1847, the atmosphere at the French Academy of Sciences was electric. The University of Houston presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them. Today, guest scientist Andrew Boyd relives a race.
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