Thread by @SrinivasR1729

Get ready for a #MathAdventure! Ever stumbled upon Fermat's Last Theorem? It's a 358-year-old riddle that kept even the most brilliant minds guessing. Today, let's unravel this enigmatic tale of numbers, and celebrate the genius who solved it - Sir Andrew Wiles.
A thread.(1/16) twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Pierre de Fermat was an amateur mathematician. In his book, he made a bold claim: No three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy the equation aⁿ + bⁿ = cⁿ for any integer value of n greater than 2. (2/16)

But here's the kicker. Fermat added, "I have discovered a truly marvellous proof of this, which this margin is too narrow to contain." And just like that, he left the world pondering. What was this elusive proof?(3/16)

Generations of mathematicians attempted to crack the code, to no avail. Fermat's Last Theorem became the Everest of mathematical problems, an enigma that seemed unsolvable. The proof remained elusive as Fermat’s ghost.(4/16)

Fast-forward to 10-year-old Andrew Wiles, who stumbled upon this riddle in his library. It sparked his curiosity, unknowingly shaping his future career. His story reminds us of how childhood dreams can power lifelong journeys.(5/16)

Wiles dedicated his life to cracking Fermat's Last Theorem. His genius lay not in the what but in the how. Instead of attempting a direct proof, he embarked on an adventurous route, linking two unrelated mathematical areas.(6/16)

Wiles zeroed in on the Taniyama-Shimura-Weil conjecture, an abstract mathematical principle linking elliptic curves and modular forms. Sounds complex, right? But Wiles saw the beauty in this complexity.(7/16)

He ingeniously proposed that if the conjecture held for a certain set of elliptic curves, it would make Fermat's Last Theorem an automatic truth. He was effectively using one unsolved problem to solve another! (8/16)

Wiles announced his proof in 1993, to massive fanfare. However, it was soon discovered that there was a flaw. But, like a true hero, Wiles didn't back down. He dove back into the problem. (9/16)

For an excruciating year, Wiles and his student, Richard Taylor, wrestled with the error. Then, in a eureka moment, they corrected the proof. In 1994, Fermat's Last Theorem was officially proven! (10/16)

Wiles' proof of Fermat's Last Theorem was a game-changer. It showed that with creativity, perseverance, and love for mathematics, we can unlock the secrets of numbers and solve centuries-old riddles. (11/16)

This monumental achievement not only proved Fermat’s conjecture but also sparked advances in number theory and related fields. It made us reconsider how we approach complex problems, in math and beyond. (12/16)

The legacy of Wiles' work? It's the audacity to think big, connect disparate dots, and never stop at failure. Just as Wiles turned a childhood fascination into a groundbreaking career, we too can reshape our world with perseverance and imagination. (13/16)

So, what's your "Fermat's Last Theorem"? What challenge excites and motivates you? Let's take a leaf from Wiles' book and not shy away from seemingly impossible tasks. Because, who knows, the next groundbreaking proof could be yours! (14/16)

In conclusion, from Fermat's audacious claim to Wiles' groundbreaking proof, the story of Fermat's Last Theorem shows that sometimes, the path to solving a problem lies not within the problem itself, but in a place we least expect. (15/16)

This thread is for all you #math lovers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners. If this story inspired you, please retweet and share your love for math! Stay curious, keep learning. (16/16)