Thirty years of proof: an interview with Andrew Wiles on the anniversary of Fermat's Last Theorem

The 23rd of June 2023 marks exactly 30 years since Sir Andrew Wiles announced his historic first proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem. He did so at the Isaac Newton Institute, during the culmination of three days of special lectures, delivered as part of the June 1993 L-functions and arithmetic programme - one of the first research meetings to take place at the recently founded INI.

To mark the event, we met up with Andrew at Oxford University's Mathematical Institute to find out how he feels thirty years after this momentous occasion, how this great moment changed his life, and what advice he'd give to fellow mathematicians seeking their own answers to long-standing problems.

Find out more about Fermat's Last Theorem at 30, including an in-depth podcast documentary and accompanying article by Plus magazine via the links below.

@cambridgeuniversity @OxfordMathematics @plusmathsorg

Recorded and produced by: Dan Aspel
Edited by: Grace Merton

[percy]

I wish they make a movie from his life. such a warm soul Professor Wiles is. Thank you for sharing this. Professor Wiles it's good to see you smiling and still enjoying life.

[JWL]

"The research side is not really that common... If you can find problems you can enjoy and just work on them. Doesn't matter, if you never solve them... Tis about developing a habit"

Am taking, and applying this advice, Professor Andrew Wiles. Q.E.D

[alexjbriiones]

It's easy to think of a person who spends a sizeable time of his life solving a single problem, but it's really very hard for me to actually comprehend. This is the ultimate definition of persistence.

[ahdoeknogh]

I've always been a 'jack of all trades, master of none' type. I'm forever amazed at how someone can dedicate their life to one thing so completely. It must be wonderful to know what you must be doing so passionately. The clarity of purpose and risk of failure must be intense.

[vd]

Here's a guy, very respected in his field, and he comes across an idea to solve (or prove) probably the greatest mathematical problem in existence. Hasn't been proven in over 300 years. Then he has to sit on it and work it for 7 years without telling anyone, or his idea might get copped by someone else. Then he solves it, fails, then re-solves it again successfully. Who says math isn't romantic?

[bobrezendeassis]

Incredible how a problem so simple to understand was so hard to prove.

[BladesAcademy]

The welcoming smile on the face of the living legend is so warm.

[krox]

Great human i wish more people have patience like you

[professorboltzmann]

Thank you Prof Wiles very inspiring video for the young students like me who dream to tackle the big problems

[Aquamarinehoney]

A treat if I could understand the proof in this life!

[abhisheksoni]

I wish someday I could be a mathematician 😢

[shubhamhire]

Mathematics is really a great subject but only if we look it as a curiosity, not subject.❤

[PaulStevenson]

They could have asked the pianist to stop playing while Andrew Wiles was talking

[manaoharsam]

Yes I like the last part, does not matter if you don't solve it, just develop the habit.

[alanalan-hw]

His remarks are very thoughtful. However, we don't need the music, which is a distraction. Let's just hear the man speak.

[yamsox]

A wonderful video. Is this the whole interview, or is there more elsewhere / soon?

[m.oldani]

Ill stop but could they tKe the secret down tho?.

[johnsamurphy]

Watch the documentary from 1996. Best story about this.

[jannien]

Work on a problem your whole life even if you cant solve it. Riemann here we come!

[loutiscrive]

This is pure love, whatever that may mean to him 🙂