The most significant recent development in number theory is the work of Andrew Wiles on modular elliptic curves. Besides implying Fermat's Last Theorem, his work establishes a new reciprocity law. Reciprocity laws lie at the heart of number theory. Wiles' work draws on many of the tools of modern number theory and the purpose of this volume is to introduce readers to some of this background material. Based on a seminar held during 1993-1994 at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, this book contains articles on elliptic curves, modular forms and modular curves, Serre's conjectures, Ribet's theorem, deformations of Galois representations, Euler systems, and annihilators of Selmer groups. All of the authors are well known in their field and have made significant contributions to the general area of elliptic curves, Galois representations, and modular forms. Features: Brings together a unique collection of number theoretic tools. Makes accessible the tools needed to understand one of the biggest breakthroughs in mathematics. Provides numerous references for further study.

Lecture I The Early History of Fermat's Last Theorem.- 1 The Problem.- 2 Early Attempts.- 3 Kummer's Monumental Theorem.- 4 Regular Primes.- 5 Kummer's Work on Irregular Prime Exponents.- 6 Other Relevant Results.- 7 The Golden Medal and the Wolfskehl Prize.- Lecture II Recent Results.- 1 Stating the Results.- 2 Explanations.- Lecture III B.K. = Before Kummer.- 1 The Pythagorean Equation.- 2 The Biquadratic Equation.- 3 The Cubic Equation.- 4 The Quintic Equation.- 5 Fermat's Equation of Degree Seven.- Lecture IV The Naïve Approach.- 1 The Relations of Barlow and Abel.- 2 Sophie Germain.- 3 Co.

The final work from the brightest star in science fiction’s galaxy. Arthur C Clarke, who predicted the advent of communication satellites and author of 2001: A Space Odyssey completes a lifetime career in science fiction with a masterwork.

This book, together with the companion volume, Fermat's Last Theorem: The Proof, presents in full detail the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem given by Wiles and Taylor. With these two books, the reader will be able to see the whole picture of the proof to appreciate one of the deepest achievements in the history of mathematics.

From bestselling author of Fermat's Last Theorem, a must-have for number lovers and Simpsons fans

This volume contains the expanded lectures given at a conference on number theory and arithmetic geometry held at Boston University. It introduces and explains the many ideas and techniques used by Wiles, and to explain how his result can be combined with Ribets theorem and ideas of Frey and Serre to prove Fermats Last Theorem. The book begins with an overview of the complete proof, followed by several introductory chapters surveying the basic theory of elliptic curves, modular functions and curves, Galois cohomology, and finite group schemes. Representation theory, which lies at the core of the proof, is dealt with in a chapter on automorphic representations and the Langlands-Tunnell theorem, and this is followed by in-depth discussions of Serres conjectures, Galois deformations, universal deformation rings, Hecke algebras, and complete intersections. The book concludes by looking both forward and backward, reflecting on the history of the problem, while placing Wiles'theorem into a more general Diophantine context suggesting future applications. Students and professional mathematicians alike will find this an indispensable resource.

A guide to modern algebra for mathematics teachers. It makes explicit connections between abstract algebra and high-school mathematics.