The Fermat-Wiles Theorem

Lyle Burkhead (LYBRHED@delphi.com)
Mon, 14 Nov 1994 04:12:22 -0500 (EST)

>if you could use the QED system in order to verify a proof as
>complex and convoluted as Wiles' proof, you'd demonstrate to all
>mathematicians [the] enormous usefulness of such a system.

Why? What would that tell the mathematicians that they don't
already know?

If you found a mistake in the proof after everyone accepted it, that
would cause consternation. Imagine what the New York Times
would do with that story! But if you spend 20 years and millions
of dollars to verify something that is already known to be true, in
what sense are you "demonstrating the enormous usefulness of
such a system"?

Lyle