Andrew Wiles

1953– · English mathematician

Topics: learning, mathematics, creativity, life

• Certainly one thing that I've learned is that it is important to pick a problem based on how much you care about it.

  — Andrew Wiles

• I loved doing problems in school. I'd take them home and make up new ones of my own.

  — Andrew Wiles

• I don't believe Fermat had a proof. I think he fooled himself into thinking he had a proof.

  — Andrew Wiles

• I hope that seeing the excitement of solving this problem will make young mathematicians realize that there are lots and lots of other problems in mathematics which are going to be just as challenging in the future.

  — Andrew Wiles

• However impenetrable it seems, if you don't try it, then you can never do it.

  — Andrew Wiles

• Always try the problem that matters most to you.

  — Andrew Wiles

• I really believed that I was on the right track, but that did not mean that I would necessarily reach my goal.

  — Andrew Wiles