New Delhi: British mathematician Sir Andrew Wiles, a research professor at the University of Oxford has won the prestigious Abel prize for his contributions to mathematical sciences.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, the British mathematician was awarded the top prize in mathematics for solving the 300-year-old mystery surrounding Fermet’s Last Theorem which was formulated by French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in 1637.
Sir Andrew Wiles will receive the prize worth £500,000 (Rs 4.7 crore) from Crown Prince Haakon of Norway at a ceremony in Oslo in May, as reported.
Andrew Wiles said that 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 his passion from an early age, and solving it gave him an overwhelming sense of fulfillment, reportedly.
''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'', he added.