"But it is impossible to divide a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into fourth powers, or generally any power beyond the square into like powers; of this I have found a remarkable demonstration. This margin is too narrow to contain it"
- Pierre de Fermat
About this Quote
This quote by Pierre de Fermat is referring to the impossibility of dividing a cube into 2 cubes, or a fourth power into 4th powers, or any power beyond the square into like powers. He has actually discovered an amazing presentation of this, however the margin of the text is too narrow to contain it. This statement is a referral to Fermat's Last Theorem, which specifies that it is impossible to divide a cube into two cubes, or a 4th power into 4th powers, or any power beyond the square into like powers. This theorem was first proposed by Fermat in 1637 and stayed unsolved till 1995, when it was finally shown by Andrew Wiles. Fermat's Last Theorem is thought about one of the most tough mathematical issues ever solved and is a testament to Fermat's genius.
"What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface"