Famous quote by Andrew Wiles

"I'm sure that some of them will be very hard and I'll have a sense of achievement again, but nothing will mean the same to me - there's no other problem in mathematics that could hold me the way that this one did"

About this Quote

Andrew Wiles's statement records the psychological and intellectual journey of fixing a deep and challenging problem, and the extensive sense of fulfillment that accompanies such an achievement. Wiles, renowned for solving Fermat's Last Theorem, reflects on the individual significance of this achievement. He acknowledges the inherent difficulties in future mathematical problems, expecting that they will be challenging and gratifying. Nevertheless, he confesses that nothing will correspond to the experience and meaning connected to fixing Fermat's Last Theorem.

The expression "a few of them will be extremely hard and I'll have a sense of accomplishment once again" suggests Wiles's understanding of the nature of mathematical pursuit. It suggests an acknowledgment that mathematics is a field filled with complexity and demanding problems. Each problem features its own distinct obstacles and the satisfaction of conquering them. Yet, the phrase "nothing will suggest the exact same to me" exposes a deep psychological connection to this specific problem, highlighting that success in mathematics is not just about intellectual conquest, however likewise about individual significance and psychological satisfaction.

Wiles's journey is emblematic of the more comprehensive human experience, where particular accomplishments hold extensive personal meaning, transforming the individual's life and viewpoint. The accomplishment ends up being a defining minute that other successes are often measured against. By specifying "there's no other problem in mathematics that might hold me the way that this one did", Wiles is conveying that Fermat's Last Theorem was not simply a complex issue, but a lifelong mission that caught his imagination and enthusiasm in a way that was special and unparalleled.

Hence, this quote illustrates the double nature of scientific accomplishment: the intellectual challenge and the personal, nearly existential, fulfillment. This mix of logic, creativity, and individual dedication underscores the distinct relationship between a mathematician and the issues they choose to commit their life to resolving.

About the Author

England Flag This quote is written / told by Andrew Wiles somewhere between April 11, 1953 and today. He/she was a famous Mathematician from England. The author also have 29 other quotes.
Go to author profile

Similar Quotes