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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Math has always been the proverbial monster under the bed for many students throughout their academic lives. While many students put in efforts to be better at mathematics, it is mostly because mathematics serves as a stepping stone for progressing further in other disciplines. However, there are very few who pursue solely mathematics in their academic careers; and fewer yet who end up making much use of it outside a teaching job. For most, math stops being a big part of their lives once they leave academics and get into the daily humdrum of life. Apart from the basic mathematics that we learn, most of the advanced mathematics (read calculus, trigonometry, etc) is quickly forgotten.
Needless to say, mathematics is not quite as glamorous as other fields such as physics or chemistry (both of which have seen an upsurge in popularity since shows such as Big Bang Theory hit the mass consciousness). You cannot quote a mathematical proof; nor can you theorize based on existing theorems. Mathematics deals in absolutes. There's usually no grey areas. Either you prove a theorem or it is considered to be false.
So, when Pierre de Fermat, the eccentric mathematician from 17th century, scribbled down a theorem in the margin of Diophantus' Arithmetica, little could he have imagined that it would befuddle mathematicians for nearly 350 years; and that Andrew Wiles solving it would catapult him to the front pages of most major newspapers around the world. Based on the more famous and commonly taught Pythagorus Theorem, Fermat's Last Theorem became the most sought-after prize in the world of mathematics. Such was the impact of the Last Theorem that the efforts to prove the last theorem spawned many new mathematical proof and techniques along the way.
Hence, writing a book that explains how one of the most famous and complex proofs in mathematics was solved was always going to be a mammoth task; especially as it involves presenting several other complex mathematical concepts. However, Simon Singh does so with relative ease. Instead of laying down a highly technical map of how Fermat's Last Theorem was solved, he weaves a story around the Last Theorem; a story recounting the history of mathematics through the ages. He presents the evolution of mathematics - number theory primarily - based on the Last Theorem.
Even when presenting the tale of the Last Theorem whilst encompassing the history of mathematics, there is a risk that one may lose track of the original purpose of the book, and condemn the man responsible for solving the Last Theorem - Andrew Wiles - to a mere footnote. Singh ensures that no such error occurs. He tracks each theorem and technique developed during the course of mathematical history to the eventual techniques that Andrew Wiles used to prove the Last Theorem.
In addition to the above, he tracks the careers of various mathematicians who contributed to furthering the search for the proof. The book comes across as a well researched one, with fairly detailed, yet simplified explanations provided for each of the theorems that Singh covers in the book. Even when things get a bit too complicated to understand (as they occasionally did for me as I neared the end of the book), you can still enjoy the book as simply a story of how one of the most trickiest proofs in the history of mathematics was brought to its conclusion.
This is a fascinating read for all those who are (or were) interested in mathematics, but also for those who simply like reading good stories.
Needless to say, mathematics is not quite as glamorous as other fields such as physics or chemistry (both of which have seen an upsurge in popularity since shows such as Big Bang Theory hit the mass consciousness). You cannot quote a mathematical proof; nor can you theorize based on existing theorems. Mathematics deals in absolutes. There's usually no grey areas. Either you prove a theorem or it is considered to be false.
So, when Pierre de Fermat, the eccentric mathematician from 17th century, scribbled down a theorem in the margin of Diophantus' Arithmetica, little could he have imagined that it would befuddle mathematicians for nearly 350 years; and that Andrew Wiles solving it would catapult him to the front pages of most major newspapers around the world. Based on the more famous and commonly taught Pythagorus Theorem, Fermat's Last Theorem became the most sought-after prize in the world of mathematics. Such was the impact of the Last Theorem that the efforts to prove the last theorem spawned many new mathematical proof and techniques along the way.
Hence, writing a book that explains how one of the most famous and complex proofs in mathematics was solved was always going to be a mammoth task; especially as it involves presenting several other complex mathematical concepts. However, Simon Singh does so with relative ease. Instead of laying down a highly technical map of how Fermat's Last Theorem was solved, he weaves a story around the Last Theorem; a story recounting the history of mathematics through the ages. He presents the evolution of mathematics - number theory primarily - based on the Last Theorem.
Even when presenting the tale of the Last Theorem whilst encompassing the history of mathematics, there is a risk that one may lose track of the original purpose of the book, and condemn the man responsible for solving the Last Theorem - Andrew Wiles - to a mere footnote. Singh ensures that no such error occurs. He tracks each theorem and technique developed during the course of mathematical history to the eventual techniques that Andrew Wiles used to prove the Last Theorem.
In addition to the above, he tracks the careers of various mathematicians who contributed to furthering the search for the proof. The book comes across as a well researched one, with fairly detailed, yet simplified explanations provided for each of the theorems that Singh covers in the book. Even when things get a bit too complicated to understand (as they occasionally did for me as I neared the end of the book), you can still enjoy the book as simply a story of how one of the most trickiest proofs in the history of mathematics was brought to its conclusion.
This is a fascinating read for all those who are (or were) interested in mathematics, but also for those who simply like reading good stories.
challenging
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
This book is far more riveting than you’d expect.
Probably the best overall maths book i read on a specific subject. Well-written, very interesting, covers a lot of peculiar math characters over time - i enjoyed this book more than i thought.
The intense aspects of the math is hidden, so if you are reading this for purely academic purposes, you may want to find something more in depth. However i think he gives enough math to understand the challenges of the problem - plus theres an appendix if you want it.
I will look to read other books by Simon Singh.
The intense aspects of the math is hidden, so if you are reading this for purely academic purposes, you may want to find something more in depth. However i think he gives enough math to understand the challenges of the problem - plus theres an appendix if you want it.
I will look to read other books by Simon Singh.
This is a fun read: a slice of mathematics history from Pythagoras to current day. Pierre de Fermat held 'amateur' status as a mathematician but is credited with advancing number theory among other things. As an amateur he rarely, if ever, submitted proofs of his work. Many of his contributions became known after his death when his son gathered his papers and published them. Among these works was a scribble made in the margin of a book in which he asserted that there is no integer solution for the generalized Pythagorean theorem for any n > 2.
X^n + Y^n = Z^n
(where ^ represents 'to the power of')
This assertion became known as Fermat's Last Theorem and has been the quest of many a mathematician for the past 350 years. Singh presents an appropriately abridged and readable story of the mathematicians who struggled to derive the proof. It is a dramatic story of struggle, perserverance and personalities. Fascinating.
X^n + Y^n = Z^n
(where ^ represents 'to the power of')
This assertion became known as Fermat's Last Theorem and has been the quest of many a mathematician for the past 350 years. Singh presents an appropriately abridged and readable story of the mathematicians who struggled to derive the proof. It is a dramatic story of struggle, perserverance and personalities. Fascinating.
Not so much surprising in this for anyone that has studied mathematics and its history before, but an excellent and well-aimed introduction for anyone else, which probably includes most people! Would recommend.
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Maths is one of the purest forms of thought, and to outsiders, mathematicians may seem almost other-worldly.
This was such a pleasure to read, I am so frustrated that I didn't get to it sooner. Non-fiction (mainly when it is about mathematics) is so daunting for me, but the way Simon Singh tackles the complex and incredibly long history of Fermat's Last Theorem is so engaging and entertaining.
To make the topic more palatable to the layman, Singh errs on the side of less is more when it comes to the mathematics of this book. Wiles' proof is never explained clearly, which - although some readers may find frustrating - I thought was a very good idea. This book's audience is clearly people who are not experts in Number Theory and have more of an interest in the history of mathematics and some of the key figures in the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem of which there were many.
Being able to read about so many different aspects of mathematics and hear from different mathematicians with varying views on the subject was the best part of the novel. In particular Andrew Wiles' quote “I had this very rare privilege of being able to pursue in my life what had been my childhood dream. I know it's a rare privilege, but if you can tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything imaginable" really stood out to me being a mathematics student myself.
I can definitely recommend this little book! 4.5/5 stars
This was such a pleasure to read, I am so frustrated that I didn't get to it sooner. Non-fiction (mainly when it is about mathematics) is so daunting for me, but the way Simon Singh tackles the complex and incredibly long history of Fermat's Last Theorem is so engaging and entertaining.
To make the topic more palatable to the layman, Singh errs on the side of less is more when it comes to the mathematics of this book. Wiles' proof is never explained clearly, which - although some readers may find frustrating - I thought was a very good idea. This book's audience is clearly people who are not experts in Number Theory and have more of an interest in the history of mathematics and some of the key figures in the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem of which there were many.
Being able to read about so many different aspects of mathematics and hear from different mathematicians with varying views on the subject was the best part of the novel. In particular Andrew Wiles' quote “I had this very rare privilege of being able to pursue in my life what had been my childhood dream. I know it's a rare privilege, but if you can tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything imaginable" really stood out to me being a mathematics student myself.
I can definitely recommend this little book! 4.5/5 stars
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced