gridpaper

Pierre de Fermat (1607–1665) was a French mathematician and lawyer whose innovative ideas shaped modern mathematics. Born in Beaumont-de-Lomagne, France, Fermat worked as a government official but pursued mathematics passionately in his free time, contributing significantly to number theory, geometry, and probability.

Fermat is best known for his Last Theorem, a famous conjecture about integer solutions to equations of the form xn+yn=zn, which remained unsolved for over 350 years until Andrew Wiles proved it in 1994. His work on prime numbers and modular arithmetic laid the groundwork for modern cryptography.

In collaboration with Blaise Pascal, Fermat co-founded probability theory, initially solving gambling problems that evolved into the mathematics of chance. He also made strides in analytic geometry, calculus, and optics, often challenging contemporary mathematicians with his bold ideas.

Fermat’s brilliance and modesty, often sharing his insights through letters, earned him the title of a mathematical pioneer. Though much of his work was scattered in notes, his legacy as one of history’s greatest mathematicians endures.

Related articles: