Advertisement

Advertisement

Fermat's last theorem

[ fer-mahz ]

noun

, Mathematics.
  1. the unproved theorem that the equation xn + yn = zn has no solution for x, y, z nonzero integers when n is greater than 2.


Fermat's last theorem

/ fɜːˈmæts /

noun

  1. (in number theory) the hypothesis that the equation xn + yn = zn has no integral solutions for n greater than two


Fermat's last theorem

/ fĕr-mäz /

  1. A theorem stating that the equation a n + b n = c n has no solution if a, b, and c are positive integers and if n is an integer greater than 2. The theorem was first stated by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat around 1630, but not proved until 1994.


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fermat's last theorem1

First recorded in 1860–65; named after P. de Fermat

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement