http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03595/Fermat_s-Last-Theo_3595242b.jpg
Mathematical Digressions
while trying to define boundaries between work and play.
It took a mathematician, Andrew Wiles, of the highest class
To finally solve a problem dating back to Pythagoras--
one re-cast by the 'amateur' mathematician Pierre Fermat
approximately two millennia later than that.
A mathematician of genius- yet that was not how M. Fermat earned his bread,
since, reluctant to publish, he worked as a lawyer instead.
Those were the days!
Now almost all praise
even when not deserved
is almost exclusively preserved,
whether for best or worst
for those who 'pooblish' first.
(As was pointed out amusingly
by Tom Lehrer in "Lobachevsky".)
Though even Tom might have to let imagination roam too far
to sing of a mathematically oriented engineer as a Porn Star.
HzL
3/16/
Oxford professor wins £500,000 for solving 300-year-old mathematical mystery
Sir Andrew Wiles' proof of Fermat's Last Theorem has been described as 'an epochal moment for mathematics'
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9:24PM GMT 15 Mar 2016
An Oxford University professor has won a £500,000 prize for solving three century old mathematical mystery which was described as an “epochal moment” for academics.
Sir Andrew Wiles, 62, has been awarded the Abel Prize by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters - and almost half a million pounds - for his proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, which he published in 1994.
Professor Andrew John Wiles poses next to "Fermat's Last Theorem" Photo: AP
He will pick up the award and a cheque for six million Norwegian Krone (£495,000) from Crown Prince Haakon of Norway in Oslo in May, for an achievement that academy described as "an epochal moment for mathematics".
Sir Andrew, currently a professor at Oxford University's Mathematical Institute, said: "It is a tremendous honour to receive the Abel Prize and to join the previous laureates who have made such outstanding contributions to the field.
"Fermat's equation was my passion from an early age, and solving it gave me an overwhelming sense of fulfilment.
"It has always been my hope that my solution of this age-old problem would inspire many young people to take up mathematics and to work on the many challenges of this beautiful and fascinating subject."
The academy said Sir Andrew was awarded the prize "for his stunning proof of Fermat's Last Theorem by way of the modularity conjecture for semistable elliptic curves, opening a new era in number theory."
Cambridge-born Sir Andrew made his breakthrough in 1994, while working at Princeton. First formulated by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in 1637, the theorem states: There are no whole number solutions to the equation xn + yn = zn when n is greater than 2.
Sir Andrew is currently a professor at Oxford University's Mathematical Institute Photo: Alamy
His previous accolades include the Rolf Schock Prize, the Ostrowski Prize, the Wolf Prize, the Royal Medal of the Royal Society, the US National Academy of Science's Award in Mathematics, and the Shaw Prize. He was knighted in 2000.
Lobachevsky (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobachevsky_(song)
"Lobachevsky" is a humorous song by Tom Lehrer, referring to the mathematician Nikolai Lobachevsky. In the introduction, Lehrer describes the song as an ...
Wikipedia
Tom Lehrer - Lobachevsky - YouTube
4:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHaGhC7C2E
Nov 23, 2008 - Uploaded by FreddeTl
For more Tom Lehrer click on the name, and enter The Tom Lehrer Audio Fun Channel, or click on this link, and ...
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University professor whose double life as a porn star was exposed has quit his teaching post
Nicholas Goddard, educated at Oxford University, has taught chemical engineering at the University of Manchester for almost 25 years
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A 'smutty professor' whose double life as a porn star was exposed after a student recognised him in an X-rated film has quit his post.
Nicholas Goddard, educated at Oxford University, has taught chemical engineering at the University of Manchester for almost 25 years, publishing many scientific papers and rising to position of lead tutor on three courses.
However it emerged earlier this month that millions of people across the world have watched the lecturer perform as Old Nick in dozens of pornographic films which he recorded while working as a professor.
Professor Nick Goddard in one of the videos Photo: Enterprise News
Although the university initially suspended Mr Goddard while they investigated the matter, it emerged yesterday (MON) that he has formally resigned.
Speaking to the Sun when his secret came out, he said: “There is such hypocrisy with people watching porn then complaining about those who act in it.
“Why would students and staff be happy to watch it, but unhappy when they see who stars in them?
Professor Nick Goddard lecturing during his day job Photo: YouTube
“Especially as I know that on evenings and weekends, 75 per cent of web traffic on the university’s server is accessing porn.
“I don’t get paid much, mainly travel expenses.
“Sometimes you do things that you regret later while under stress. But I’ve given it up since January, it’s too much for me now.
“What I do in my private life is my business not the university’s. I haven’t told anyone there.
“I don’t know what students or their parents would think but I for one certainly wouldn’t care if my children were being taught by a porn star.”
He reportedly told the newspaper he got into the films to relieve the stress of his divorce, but that his family were unaware of his second job.
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