Seminar on Fermat's Last Theorem

Book excerpt: The most significant recent development in number theory is the work of Andrew Wiles on modular elliptic curves. Besides implying Fermat's Last Theorem, his work establishes a new reciprocity law. Reciprocity laws lie at the heart of number theory. Wiles' work draws on many of the tools of modern number theory and the purpose of this volume is to introduce readers to some of this background material. Based on a seminar held during 1993-1994 at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, this book contains articles on elliptic curves, modular forms and modular curves, Serre's conjectures, Ribet's theorem, deformations of Galois representations, Euler systems, and annihilators of Selmer groups. All of the authors are well known in their field and have made significant contributions to the general area of elliptic curves, Galois representations, and modular forms. Features: Brings together a unique collection of number theoretic tools. Makes accessible the tools needed to understand one of the biggest breakthroughs in mathematics. Provides numerous references for further study.