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Wiles faced skepticism and criticism from the mathematical community from "summary" of Fermat's last theorem by Simon Singh

When Andrew Wiles first announced that he had proved Fermat's Last Theorem, the mathematical community was initially skeptical. This skepticism was not unwarranted, as the theorem itself had a history of false proofs and unfulfilled promises. The mathematical world had been burned before by claims of a breakthrough in the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, so it was natural for them to approach Wiles' proof with caution. The skepticism was fueled by the complexity and obscurity of the proof itself. Wiles had worked in secret for seven years, not sharing his work with anyone else in the field. This secrecy raised suspicions among his peers, who questioned whether Wiles could have made a mistake without the input and feedback of other mathematicians. Furthermore, the proof itself was highly technical and relied on cutting-edge mathematics that few in the field fully understood. The sheer complexity of the proof made it difficult for others to verify its accuracy, leading to even more doubt and criticism. As word of Wiles' proof spread, the mathematical community began to scrutinize it more closely. Some attempted to find errors or gaps in the proof, while others questioned whether certain steps were truly justified. The scrutiny only intensified as Wiles' proof went through peer review and was published in a prestigious mathematical journal.
  1. Wiles remained confident in his proof. He stood by his work and defended it against all challenges, patiently explaining his reasoning and addressing any concerns that were raised. In the end, it was this unwavering belief in his proof and his willingness to engage with his critics that ultimately convinced the mathematical community of the validity of his solution.
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Fermat's last theorem

Simon Singh

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