商品の説明

Around 1637, the French jurist Pierre de Fermat scribbled in the margin of his copy of the book Arithmetica what came to be known as Fermat's Last Theorem, the most famous question in mathematical history. Stating that it is impossible to split a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into two fourth powers, or any higher power into two like powers, but not leaving behind the marvelous proof he claimed to have had, Fermat prompted three and a half centuries of mathematical inquiry which culminated only recently with the proof of the theorem by Andrew Wiles.

This book offers the first serious treatment of Fermat's Last Theorem since Wiles's proof. It is based on a series of lectures given by the author to celebrate Wiles's achievement, with each chapter explaining a separate area of number theory as it pertains to Fermat's Last Theorem. Together, they provide a concise history of the theorem as well as a brief discussion of Wiles's proof and its implications. Requiring little more than one year of university mathematics and some interest in formulas, this overview provides many useful tips and cites numerous references for those who desire more mathematical detail.

The book's most distinctive feature is its easy-to-read, humorous style, complete with examples, anecdotes, and some of the lesser-known mathematics underlying the newly discovered proof. In the author's own words, the book deals with "serious mathematics without being too serious about it." Alf van der Poorten demystifies mathematical research, offers an intuitive approach to the subject-loosely suggesting various definitions and unexplained facts-and invites the reader to fill in the missing links in some of the mathematical claims.

Entertaining, controversial, even outrageous, this book not only tells us why, in all likelihood, Fermat did not have the proof for his last theorem, it also takes us through historical attempts to crack the theorem, the prizes that were offered along the way, and the consequent motivation for the development of other areas of mathematics. Notes on Fermat's Last Theorem is invaluable for students of mathematics, and of real interest to those in the physical sciences, engineering, and computer sciences-indeed for anyone who craves a glimpse at this fascinating piece of mathematical history.

An exciting introduction to modern number theory as reflected by the history of Fermat's Last Theorem

This book displays the unique talents of author Alf van der Poorten in mathematical exposition for mathematicians. Here, mathematics' most famous question and the ideas underlying its recent solution are presented in a way that appeals to the imagination and leads the reader through related areas of number theory. The first book to focus on Fermat's Last Theorem since Andrew Wiles presented his celebrated proof, Notes on Fermat's Last Theorem surveys 350 years of mathematical history in an amusing and intriguing collection of tidbits, anecdotes, footnotes, exercises, references, illustrations, and more.

Proving that mathematics can make for lively reading as well as intriguing thought, this thoroughly accessible treatment

Helps students and professionals develop a background in number theory and provides introductions to the various fields of theory that are touched upon
* Offers insight into the exciting world of mathematical research
* Covers a number of areas appropriate for classroom use
* Assumes only one year of university mathematics background even for the more advanced topics
* Explains why Fermat surely did not have the proof to his theorem
* Examines the efforts of mathematicians over the centuries to solve the problem
* Shows how the pursuit of the theorem contributed to the greater development of mathematics

商品の詳細

• Amazon.co.jp ランキング: #498010 / 本
• 発売日: 2000-02
• 版型: 単行本
• 285 ページ

出版社/著者からの内容紹介
３５０年間未解決のまま数学者たちを悩ませ，また楽しませてきたフェルマーの最終定理：X^n+Y^n=Z^n はイギリスの数学者ワイルズによって最終的に証明された．本書は，この問題を述べるとともに，これまでほとんど知られていない数学的証明やアイデアもあわせて解説し，また，２０あまりのトピックスを論争的に記述した.

内容（「BOOK」データベースより）
最終定理を巡る人間ドラマが見えてくる。彼らの叡智が織りなすMathematicalな饗宴。

内容（「MARC」データベースより）
およそ350年の間、数学の進歩の頂点にあったフェルマーの最終定理。ユークリッド、ディオファントスからフェルマー、ガウス、ワイルスまで、最終定理をめぐるドラマチックな人間模様を講義の形式で綴る。〈ソフトカバー〉

カスタマーレビュー

フェルマーの謎に迫る迷訳
原著者のプールテン氏は極めて有能でウィットに富んだ数学者である。独特な言い回しが多く，適格に訳さなければまったく意味は通らないはず。本書は正に迷訳中の傑作と言える。そのままでの訳でも数学を究めた人間ならその意味を解することはできるかもしれない。訳者もきっとそうなのだろうが，この境地に達するにはフェルマーと同じくらい年をとってしまう。

とんでも本か?
星1つですが、原著は星４つに評価します。訳が星マイナス3つです。
訳語が直訳な箇所はまだしも、訳語が不適切な箇所もともかく、人名の読み方が怪しいのは許容するとしても、専門用語があまり見かけない訳な箇所も目をつぶったところで、専門上の誤訳が多すぎます。書かれている内容はこぼれ話的なもので、他では見かけない興味深い内容もありますが、これを手に取ると、結局、原書を読むことになるでしょう。

数学者の顔写真がみれる
題目の如くノートであまり脈絡がなくおまけに数論の専門家向けです。同じく脈絡がない「解決!フェルマーの最終定理」加藤 和也と翻訳者山口周が監修した「図解雑学 フェルマーの最終定理」富永 裕久と併読すれば少しは理解できるかな？