内容简介
The extra ordinary story of the solving of a puzzle that has confounded mathematicians since the 1 7 th 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 f ai led, 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 specia list and general reader s.
西蒙・辛格（Simon Singh）出生于 英国 萨默塞特郡，具有 印度 旁遮普血统，曾在伦敦帝 国学 院 学习 物理 ，并获剑桥大学粒子物 理学 博士学位。在BBC电视台《明日 世界 》 工作 5年后，参与了1996年获奖 纪录片 《地平线：费马大定理》的制作和导演。1999年 出版 《码书》。
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