Updated to reflect current research, Algebraic Number Theory and Fermat s Last Theorem, Fourth Edition introduces fundamental ideas of algebraic numbers and explores one of the most intriguing stories in the history of mathematics the quest for a proof of Fermat s Last Theorem. The authors use this celebrated theorem to motivate a general study of the theory of algebraic numbers from a relatively concrete point of view. Students will see how Wiles s proof of Fermat s Last Theorem opened many new areas for future work.

New to the Fourth Edition