Fermat's right triangle theorem
Teorema del triángulo rectángulo de Fermat
- Date
- 1670 · confidence medium
- Place
- Toulouse, Occitanie, France
- Credited to
- Pierre de Fermat
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What was discovered
A number-theory theorem proving that no right triangle with rational sides can have an area equal to the square of a rational number; it is the only complete surviving proof by Pierre de Fermat, published posthumously in 1670.
What it led to
- Classic example of Fermat's method of infinite descent
- Implies the n=4 case of Fermat's Last Theorem
- Basis for the study of congruent numbers