Re: Was Fermat\'s Theorem Really Proven?
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Personally I would take 100,000 to one odds that Wiles proof will eventually be shown to have a flaw. That's an exceedingly low number regarding a math proof, I think. But I am very unknowledgeable in this field. I wonder therefore what professional mathmeticans would make the odds.
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Personally, I believe the proof. I watched the Nova special about Andrew Wiles three or four times--I still have it. I didn't understand most of it, but it was fascinating none-the-less. Early on he thought he solved it, but there was a problem. That problem was solved. You should view this tape. You might be able to find it at your local library. Nova repeats their programs from time to time as well.
But here is a more interesting question. Fermat himself said he had simple proof of this theorem which the margins of his book was too small to contain.
Will anyone ever be able to come up with such a "simple" proof, and perhaps more importantly--was Fermat telling the truth?
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