Fermat's Last Theorem for the case n = 4 #
There are no non-zero integers a
, b
and c
such that a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 4
.
Shorthand for three non-zero integers a
, b
, and c
satisfying a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
.
We will show that no integers satisfy this equation. Clearly Fermat's Last theorem for n = 4
follows.
Instances For
We say a solution to a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
is minimal if there is no other solution with
a smaller c
(in absolute value).
Equations
Instances For
if we have a solution to a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
then there must be a minimal one.
a minimal solution to a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
must have a
and b
coprime.
We can swap a
and b
in a minimal solution to a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
.
We can assume that a minimal solution to a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 = c ^ 2
has positive c
.
Fermat's Last Theorem for $n=4$: if a b c : ℕ
are all non-zero
then a ^ 4 + b ^ 4 ≠ c ^ 4
.
To prove Fermat's Last Theorem, it suffices to prove it for odd prime exponents.