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More copies of this ISBN:This title in other formats:Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problemby Simon Singh
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments: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. Review:"[A]n excellent and very worthwhile account of one of the most dramatic and moving events of the century." The New York Times Book Review Review:"The history of mathematics comes alive even for those who dread balancing their checkbooks." Publishers Weekly Review:"Singh captures the joys and frustrations of this quest for an extremely elusive proof...and builds to a truly engrossing climax. It's a mathematical page-turner." Library Journal Review:"A good overview of one of the great intellectual puzzles of modern history." Kirkus Reviews Synopsis:Compelling, dramatic, and entirely accessible, "Fermat's Enigma" is a mesmerizing tale of heartbreak and mastery, and one that will forever change the reader's feelings about mathematics. Simon Singh co-produced an award-winning documentary film on Fermat's Last Theorem that aired on PBS's "Nova" series. 21 illustrations. Description:Includes bibliographical references and index. About the AuthorSimon Singh received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge. A BBC producer, he directed and coproduced an award-winning documentary film on Fermat's Last Theorem that aired on PBS's "Nova" series. He is also the author of the bestselling The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. He lives in London, England. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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