These talks will be self-contained presentations of mathematical concepts
and theorems. They are intended to be accessible to all mathematics
students. Coffee, tea and drinks will be provided.
1 pm, Tuesday 28 March 2000
Science Lecture Theatre S14
Dr Marty Ross
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Monash University
Fermat's Last Theorem is one of the most famous of conjectures/theorems
in mathematics. It has teased mathematicians for centuries, ever since
Pierre de Fermat raised the question along with his claim to know a
simple proof. It is only in 1995 that Andrew Wiles finally laid the problem
to rest.
In our talk we'll give some of the history of Fermat's Last Theorem, and we'll prove some of the really easy bits.