SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · math/9810027

A Concise and Direct Proof of "Fermat's Last Theorem"

Abstract

The recently developed proof of Fermat's Last Theorem is very lengthy and difficult, so much so as to be beyond all but a small body of specialists. While certainly of value in the developments that resulted, that proof could not be, nor was offered as being, possibly the proof Fermat had in mind. The present proof being brief, direct and concise is a candidate for being what Fermat had in mind. It is also completely accessible to any one trained in common algebra. That critical suggestions offered by significant mathematics authorities have been unable to invalidate this concise and direct proof would tend to be major confirmation that: The proof stands, valid and not validly challenged.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Roger Ellman. 1999-09-02. A Concise and Direct Proof of "Fermat's Last Theorem". https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9810027

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Average Chord Lengths in a Triangle

Let $P$ be a point inside a triangle $T$. We consider the average length of the chords of $T$ through $P$, where the direction of the chord is chosen uniformly. An elementary formula is obtained in terms of the distances from $P$ to the sides and vertices of the triangle. Several classical triangle centers give especially simple specializations. For example, if $I$ is the incenter, then \[ M_T(I)=\frac{2r}{\pi} \log\left(\cot\frac A4\cot\frac B4\cot\frac C4\right). \] Our main result is the sharp inequality \[ M_T(P)\le \frac{p}{\pi\sqrt3}\log(2+\sqrt3), \] valid simultaneously for every triangle of perimeter $p$ and every interior point $P$. Thus, among all such pairs $(T,P)$, the largest possible average chord length occurs only when $T$ is equilateral and $P$ is its center. The proof is an elementary symmetrization argument. We close with brief remarks relating the problem to the radial center of a convex body, the electrostatic potential center of a triangle, and dual quermassintegrals.

math.GM

A Proof of Liu's Conjecture on the Fundamental Triangle Inequality

Let $a,b,c$ be the side lengths of a triangle, and let $R$ and $r$ denote its circumradius and inradius, respectively. We prove a conjecture of Liu stating that \[\sum_{\mathrm{cyc}} \left(\frac{a(b+c-a)}{bc}\right)^k \geq 2+\left(\frac{2r}{R}\right)^k,~~k>1, \] with the reverse inequality for $0<k<1$. The proof reduces the problem to three positive variables with fixed sum and product. We also determine the equality cases.

math.GM