Andrew Wiles

Andrew Wiles is a renowned mathematician known for his groundbreaking work in number theory and specifically for proving Fermat's Last Theorem in 1994. Born in Cambridge, England in 1953, Wiles developed a passion for mathematics from a young age.

Fermat's Last Theorem, first conjectured by Pierre de Fermat in 1637, states that there are no three positive integers a, b, and c that can satisfy the equation a^n + b^n = c^n for any integer value of n greater than 2. This problem had puzzled mathematicians for over 350 years until Wiles successfully proved it, using advanced techniques in algebra and number theory.

For school students, understanding Wiles' achievement can be a great inspiration to pursue mathematics further. It showcases the importance of perseverance, creativity, and dedication in solving complex mathematical problems. Wiles' work not only solved a centuries-old mystery but also opened up new avenues for research and exploration in number theory.

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Appreciate the work of Andrew Wiles by trying some of the maths that this mathematician is known for.

There is an activity called Pythagorean Probe that you could try right now. Use Pythagoras' Theorem to help find all of the measurements of these right angles triangles.

So there's no better time than the present to learn some mathematics from the past: let's Go!

Transum has many activities for the topic 'Proof' and recommends you try some of them.

Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today: let's Go!