xn + yn = zn, where n represents 3, 4, 5, ...no solution
"I have discovered a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain."
With these words, the seventeenth-century French mathematician Pierre de Fermat threw down the gauntlet to future generations.What came to be known as Fermat's Last Theorem looked simple; proving it, howev...
xn + yn = zn, where n represents 3, 4, 5, ...no solution
"I have discovered a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain."
With these words, the seventeenth-century French mathematician Pierre de Fermat threw down the gauntlet to future generations.What came to be known as Fermat's Last Theorem looked simple; proving it, however, became the Holy Grail of mathematics, baffling its finest minds for more than 350 years.In Fermat's Enigma --based on the author's award-winning documentary film, which aired on PBS's "Nova"--Simon Singh tells the astonishingly entertaining story of the pursuit of that grail, and the lives that were devoted to, sacrificed for, and saved by it.Here is a mesmerizing tale of heartbreak and mastery that will forever change your feelings about mathematics.
作者简介
· · · · · ·
Simon Lehna Singh, MBE is a British author who has specialised in writing about mathematical and scientific topics in an accessible manner. He is the maiden winner of the Lilavati Award.
His written works include Fermat's Last Theorem (in the United States titled Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problem), The Code Book (about cryptograp...
Simon Lehna Singh, MBE is a British author who has specialised in writing about mathematical and scientific topics in an accessible manner. He is the maiden winner of the Lilavati Award.
His written works include Fermat's Last Theorem (in the United States titled Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problem), The Code Book (about cryptography and its history), Big Bang (about the Big Bang theory and the origins of the universe) and Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial (about complementary and alternative medicine).
He has also produced documentaries and works for television to accompany his books, is a trustee of NESTA, the National Museum of Science and Industry and co-founded the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme.
曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学...曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学家的刻板印象。长时间的沉淀和镇静值得满堂的掌声！(展开)
I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidifi...I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidified my love for Math 5 years ago and constantly brings me contentment even today. Chasing the truth deserves the greatest glory, for we must/will know.(展开)
曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学...曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学家的刻板印象。长时间的沉淀和镇静值得满堂的掌声！(展开)
I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidifi...I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidified my love for Math 5 years ago and constantly brings me contentment even today. Chasing the truth deserves the greatest glory, for we must/will know.(展开)
书中的原文是这样的 His place of birth is unknown and his arrival in Alexandria could have been anytime within a five-century window. 这里a five-century window远不是什么“5个世纪的窗户”之类的意思，因为在必应搜索的词典栏目中，可以查到这样一条英英释义： 简单来说，window一词在这里的意思与period的基本相同，是“一段时期”的意思。
2021-07-15 21:58:001人喜欢
书中的原文是这样的
His place of birth is unknown and his arrival in Alexandria could have been anytime within a five-century window.引自第51页
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academ...
2022-01-21 13:08:24
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academy's administration was unaware that the real Monsieur Le Blanc had left Paris and continued to print lecture notes and problems for him. Germain managed to obtain what was intended for Le Blanc, and each week she would submit answers to the problems under her new pseudonym.引自第103页
“四十年之后，在六十岁上，欧拉的情况明显恶化了，未失明的那只眼产生了白内障，这意味着他注定要全盲。欧拉决定不妥协，并开始练习闭着那只眼书写，争取在黑暗笼罩之前完善自己的（计算）技巧。没过几周他便失明了。” 面对重大变故，欧拉没情绪用事。不错，我记得全盲并没有让他的学术产出减少哪怕一半。我正处在一个充满情绪的时期，欧拉的这一则事如春风鼓舞我心。 Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation...
Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation worsened considerably, when a cataract in Euler's good eye meant he was destined to become completely blind. He was determined not to give in and began to practice writing with his fading eye closed in order to perfect his technique before the onset of darkness. Within weeks he was blind.引自第88页
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge. In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinit...
2022-01-13 10:53:10
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge.引自第81页 In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinite descent to work for cases other than n=4, but in every case attempts to stretch the proof only led to gaps in the logic. However, Euler showed that by incorporating the imaginary number, i, into his proof he could plug holes in the proof and force the method of infinite descent to work for the case n=3.引自第86页
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academ...
2022-01-21 13:08:24
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academy's administration was unaware that the real Monsieur Le Blanc had left Paris and continued to print lecture notes and problems for him. Germain managed to obtain what was intended for Le Blanc, and each week she would submit answers to the problems under her new pseudonym.引自第103页
“四十年之后，在六十岁上，欧拉的情况明显恶化了，未失明的那只眼产生了白内障，这意味着他注定要全盲。欧拉决定不妥协，并开始练习闭着那只眼书写，争取在黑暗笼罩之前完善自己的（计算）技巧。没过几周他便失明了。” 面对重大变故，欧拉没情绪用事。不错，我记得全盲并没有让他的学术产出减少哪怕一半。我正处在一个充满情绪的时期，欧拉的这一则事如春风鼓舞我心。 Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation...
Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation worsened considerably, when a cataract in Euler's good eye meant he was destined to become completely blind. He was determined not to give in and began to practice writing with his fading eye closed in order to perfect his technique before the onset of darkness. Within weeks he was blind.引自第88页
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge. In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinit...
2022-01-13 10:53:10
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge.引自第81页 In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinite descent to work for cases other than n=4, but in every case attempts to stretch the proof only led to gaps in the logic. However, Euler showed that by incorporating the imaginary number, i, into his proof he could plug holes in the proof and force the method of infinite descent to work for the case n=3.引自第86页
One of Euler's greatest achievements was the development of the algorithmic method. The point of Eulers algorithms was to tackle apparently impossible problems. One such problem was predicting the phases of the moon far into the future with high accuracy——information that could be used to draw up vital navigation tables. Newton had already shown that it is relatively easy to predict the orbit...
2022-01-13 10:35:18
One of Euler's greatest achievements was the development of the algorithmic method. The point of Eulers algorithms was to tackle apparently impossible problems. One such problem was predicting the phases of the moon far into the future with high accuracy——information that could be used to draw up vital navigation tables. Newton had already shown that it is relatively easy to predict the orbit of one body around another, but in the case of the moon the situation is not so simple. The moon orbits the earth, but there is a third body, the sun, that complicates matters enormously. While the earth and moon attract each other, the sun perturbs the position of the earth and has a knock-on effect on the orbit of the moon. Equations could be used to pin down the effect of any two of the bodies, but eighteenth-century mathematicians could not incorporate the third body into their calculations. Even today it is impossible to predict the exact solution to the so-called"three body problem".引自第75页
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academ...
2022-01-21 13:08:24
This would have been an ideal place for Germain to develop her mathematical skills except for the fact that it was an institution reserved only for men. Her natural shyness prevented her from confronting the academy's governing body, so instead she resorted to covertly studying at the Ecole by assuming the identity of a former student at the academy, Monsieur Antoine-august Le Blanc. The academy's administration was unaware that the real Monsieur Le Blanc had left Paris and continued to print lecture notes and problems for him. Germain managed to obtain what was intended for Le Blanc, and each week she would submit answers to the problems under her new pseudonym.引自第103页
“四十年之后，在六十岁上，欧拉的情况明显恶化了，未失明的那只眼产生了白内障，这意味着他注定要全盲。欧拉决定不妥协，并开始练习闭着那只眼书写，争取在黑暗笼罩之前完善自己的（计算）技巧。没过几周他便失明了。” 面对重大变故，欧拉没情绪用事。不错，我记得全盲并没有让他的学术产出减少哪怕一半。我正处在一个充满情绪的时期，欧拉的这一则事如春风鼓舞我心。 Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation...
Forty years later, at the age of sixty, his situation worsened considerably, when a cataract in Euler's good eye meant he was destined to become completely blind. He was determined not to give in and began to practice writing with his fading eye closed in order to perfect his technique before the onset of darkness. Within weeks he was blind.引自第88页
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge. In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinit...
2022-01-13 10:53:10
On August 4, 1733, Euler announced in a letter to the Prussian mathematician Christian Goldbach that he had adapted Fermat's method of infinite descent and successfully proved the case for n=3. After a hundred years this was the first time anybody had succeeded in making any progress toward meeting Fermat's challenge.引自第81页 In the past other mathematicians had tried to adapt Fermats method of infinite descent to work for cases other than n=4, but in every case attempts to stretch the proof only led to gaps in the logic. However, Euler showed that by incorporating the imaginary number, i, into his proof he could plug holes in the proof and force the method of infinite descent to work for the case n=3.引自第86页
One of Euler's greatest achievements was the development of the algorithmic method. The point of Eulers algorithms was to tackle apparently impossible problems. One such problem was predicting the phases of the moon far into the future with high accuracy——information that could be used to draw up vital navigation tables. Newton had already shown that it is relatively easy to predict the orbit...
2022-01-13 10:35:18
One of Euler's greatest achievements was the development of the algorithmic method. The point of Eulers algorithms was to tackle apparently impossible problems. One such problem was predicting the phases of the moon far into the future with high accuracy——information that could be used to draw up vital navigation tables. Newton had already shown that it is relatively easy to predict the orbit of one body around another, but in the case of the moon the situation is not so simple. The moon orbits the earth, but there is a third body, the sun, that complicates matters enormously. While the earth and moon attract each other, the sun perturbs the position of the earth and has a knock-on effect on the orbit of the moon. Equations could be used to pin down the effect of any two of the bodies, but eighteenth-century mathematicians could not incorporate the third body into their calculations. Even today it is impossible to predict the exact solution to the so-called"three body problem".引自第75页
叫花子打鼓穷欢乐
上海译文出版社2005版
小轩Eileen
广西师范大学出版社2013版
skw
上海译文出版社2005版
0 有用 cle 2021-07-01 00:28:13
曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学... 曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学家的刻板印象。长时间的沉淀和镇静值得满堂的掌声！ (展开)
0 有用 你猜我是谁 2017-05-08 10:30:56
虽然最后也没懂是怎么证出来的，还是为数学史感动，作者也很会诠释数学道理，特别充满生命力的文字
0 有用 霎誊 2021-06-22 03:01:25
I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidifi... I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidified my love for Math 5 years ago and constantly brings me contentment even today. Chasing the truth deserves the greatest glory, for we must/will know. (展开)
3 有用 Ying 2015-04-14 20:38:45
via Tianfang 7年时间独自完成一个炼金术般的数学证明，之后被发现漏洞在羞耻与压力之下又花了1年时间修补了证明。看完只陷入了深深的自我反省，自己有没有为任何一件事这么勇敢这么专注过...
0 有用 S1gma 2018-01-14 19:30:04
从毕达哥拉斯到 Fermat 到 Andrew Wiles, 从两千年前到现在, 最后公布结果还一番波折, 公众的关注很多时候是探索乐趣的阻碍
0 有用 optman 2022-04-12 11:51:43
“我已经发现一个绝佳证明，可是书边太小写不下”。。。最后的现代证明用了几百页，穷尽了几乎所有古代和现代的数论知识。也不知道当年的费马是真的想到没有，能不能经得起严格论证。不管怎样，当我们看到这本书的时候，困扰了数学家几百年的谜题已经解开了。现在，不妨让我们再去重温这段漫长的探索之旅，顺便学习一点数论的知识。
0 有用 失窃 2021-08-07 19:24:59
我觉得此书最好的一点就是详细地展开了历史上许多数学家对费马大定理的求索，充分体现了人类知识的重大进步是许多人前赴后继接力实现的。
0 有用 cle 2021-07-01 00:28:13
曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学... 曾经痴迷过纯数学，这是读的第一本提及理论数学的书。开始会担心跟不上逻辑，但慢慢会发现它包含了许多历史背景的科普。它也提及一些非常普遍的理论知识，但通过与历史相结合的方式让读者从各方面去了解许多常规定律的起源。毕竟是近代数学最著名的证明之一，有蛮多论点是我无法理解透的，但这不碍于感受数学的独特魅力。非常的敬佩Dr. Andrew Wiles！他实际证明了年龄不是阻挡前进步伐的绊脚石，改变了外界对数学家的刻板印象。长时间的沉淀和镇静值得满堂的掌声！ (展开)
0 有用 霎誊 2021-06-22 03:01:25
I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidifi... I was absolutely thrilled with this book. It touched upon many important moments in the history of Math and showed the geniuses' sparks and struggles in an enthralling writing style. The book solidified my love for Math 5 years ago and constantly brings me contentment even today. Chasing the truth deserves the greatest glory, for we must/will know. (展开)
0 有用 كاثرين 2021-02-12 16:43:04
为何要登山？因为山就在那里。我个人不相信费马本人在三百年前就得出证明，即使有也应该是存在逻辑漏洞的。Andrew Wiles耗了八年心血用的都是20世纪最新的数学技术。（能证实谷山-志村猜想，把elliptic equations和modular forms等同起来，意义甚至大于费马定理本身。）如果用今天的眼光来看费马是民科民数没跑了，毕竟外号也是Prince of Amateur. 数学这门学科... 为何要登山？因为山就在那里。我个人不相信费马本人在三百年前就得出证明，即使有也应该是存在逻辑漏洞的。Andrew Wiles耗了八年心血用的都是20世纪最新的数学技术。（能证实谷山-志村猜想，把elliptic equations和modular forms等同起来，意义甚至大于费马定理本身。）如果用今天的眼光来看费马是民科民数没跑了，毕竟外号也是Prince of Amateur. 数学这门学科闭门造车还是比较危险的，Andrew Wiles几次差点翻车也是靠向能信任的同行求助和支持才最终成功。 (展开)