Fermat's Last Theorem
Simon Singh
A popular science book about the history of mathematics from Pythagoras onwards, and in particular about the amateur mathematician Fermat who left behind all his notebooks when he died. Unlike other theorems in the books, the last theorem had no proof. Andrew Wiles set out to prove this theory, and locked himself away for seven years to do so. The best bits in Seán's opinion were about the history of maths and the bizarre people who were involved with it, including a woman mathematician who was dragged by a chariot, butchered with oyster shells, and thrown onto a fire!
Seán 26/7/98
By the same author
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