Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around locating and accessing Andrew Wiles' complete proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, including inquiries about online sources and the availability of the papers involved. The scope includes practical aspects of finding the proof and the challenges associated with understanding the material.
Discussion Character
- Homework-related
- Meta-discussion
Main Points Raised
- Participants inquire about where to find a copy of Wiles' proof, suggesting sources such as the AMS website and university libraries.
- Some participants mention that the proof consists of two papers published in the Annals of Mathematics and provide links to those papers.
- There are multiple requests for emailed copies of the papers, indicating a lack of access among some participants.
- One participant humorously conjectures that those who cannot find the proof may struggle to understand it.
- Another participant expresses that reading the papers can be overwhelming, even for those with advanced degrees.
- A moderator notes that a link to the papers has already been provided, discouraging further requests for emailed copies.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the difficulty of accessing and understanding Wiles' proof, but there is no consensus on the best method to obtain it, as some seek emailed copies while others point to existing links.
Contextual Notes
Some participants express frustration over the complexity of the papers, suggesting that understanding them may require significant effort or prior knowledge.