Three Lectures on Fermat's Last Theorem (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

L. J. Mordell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0331917378 ISBN 13: 9780331917376

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Explore the ideas behind Fermat’s Last Theorem and the rich history of number theory.

This introductory work surveys the mathematical questions that have fascinated scholars for centuries, from Fermat’s margin notes to modern approaches like ideal numbers and modular reasoning. It presents key conjectures, proofs, and methods in a clear, accessible way.

The book frames the problem with historical context and a look at the evolving toolkit of number theory. It shows how mathematicians have tried to prove or disprove long-standing statements and how new ideas emerged to resolve old puzzles. Readers will encounter the development of ideas in a way that highlights both the challenges and the insights along the way.

• Plain explanations of concepts such as integer solutions and prime classifications.
• Discussion of historical proofs and modern perspectives on Fermat’s theorem.
• Introduction to ideas like ideal numbers and the arithmetic of algebraic numbers.
• Connections between simple equations and deeper structural questions in number theory.

Ideal for readers curious about the history, methods, and ongoing questions in number theory, this edition helps place Fermat’s Last Theorem in a broader mathematical landscape.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0331917378
• ISBN 13: 9780331917376
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48