Observationibus

DIOPHANTUS of Alexandria (fl. A.D. 250). Arithmeticorum libri sex, et de numeris multangulis liber unus , edited by Claude BACHET DE MÉZIRIAC (1581-1638), commentary by Pierre de FERMAT (1601-1665). Toulouse: Bernard Bosc, 1670. First printing of Fermat's theorems relating to number theory , in the second edition of Bachet's Diophantus . Fermat owned a copy of the Greek editio princeps of 1621 in which he wrote notes questioning Bachet’s statements and forming his own theorems to solve the mathematical problems which Diophantus had posed; he died without any intention of having them published. However, his son Claude-Samuel chose to include the annotations in this second printing of the work five years later; they form the first contribution by a Renaissance mathematician to the theory of numbers and the first step in the invention of the differential calculus. Most famous of the 48 observations made by Fermat is the first statement of his celebrated 'Last Theorem', not proven until 1995 when Andrew Wiles, professor of mathematics at Princeton, completed a 130-page proof – Fermat had claimed he knew the proof but lacked the space in the margin to show it. Honeyman 893; Hoffman II, p.109; Norman 777; Simon Singh, Fermat's Enigma (New York, 1997), p. 279; Smith p. 348. Folio (325 x 219mm). Greek and Latin text parallel on the page, Latin commentary in single column. Engraved title vignette after Rabault, two engraved headpieces, engraved opening initial, woodcut initials and ornaments. (Title with a few scattered stains and erased ownership stamp at foot, some browning and spotting, I2 and Nn2 misbound after I3 and Nn3 as in the Norman copy, R3 with marginal repair.) Contemporary vellum, spine with raised bands and red morocco label, speckled edges (upper joints repaired, covers bowed); custom box.

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