Fermat's Last Theorem is a theorem proposed by Pierre de Fermat, in about 1630. It states that the equation
has no nontrivial (i.e., nonzero) integer solutions in x, y, and z, for n an integer greater than 2. Fermat wrote in a margin, "I have discovered a truly remarkable proof which this margin is too small to contain." For 300 years, mathematicians have been obsessed with finding this solution. In 1993, Andrew Wiles came up with an extremely long proof, certainly not the one Fermat had in mind; some mathematicians continue to try to find Fermat's elegant proof. Depsite this in the 24th century, neither Captain Picard nor Commander Riker realized it had been solved. TNG: The Royale
- This episode was aired in 1989, four years before Fermat's Last Theoren was solved.