Fermat Memes

The mathematical pattern seemed so elegant. 2 1 +1=3, 2 2 +1=5, 2 4 +1=17... all prime numbers. Even 2 8 +1=257 and 2 16 +1=65537 are prime. So naturally, one might conclude that all numbers of the form 2 2 n +1 are prime. Except they're not. This is the Fermat prime conjecture trap. Fermat numbers F 5 and beyond are actually composite. F 5 = 2 32 +1 = 4,294,967,297 = 641 × 6,700,417. Mathematics: where induction from a few examples will make you look like that third panel. Number theory doesn't care about your feelings or your pattern-seeking brain.

Ever see a mathematical equation so elegant it makes your brain tingle? This visual proof of Fermat's Last Theorem for n=3 (that 3³ + 4³ + 5³ = 6³) shows how stacking colored cubes can supposedly demonstrate this equality. Just one tiny problem... it's completely wrong! The equation actually equals 216 + 64 + 125 = 405, while 6³ = 216. The meme brilliantly trolls mathematicians by presenting a visually convincing "proof" that's mathematically impossible. It's the mathematical equivalent of those impossible objects that look correct until you stare long enough to realize you've been bamboozled!

Nothing says "serious mathematics" like illustrating your groundbreaking number theory paper with... *checks notes*... "A Strange Tractor." Mathematicians spent 358 years trying to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, and then Andrew Wiles comes along with farm equipment riding chaos theory curves. This is what happens when you let mathematicians have access to clip art after they've been staring at equations for too long. The tractor isn't even hauling the proof—it's just vibing on what appears to be a Lorenz attractor. Next breakthrough paper: "The Riemann Hypothesis: As Demonstrated By My Cat Wearing Sunglasses."

The progression of mathematical ignorance in three easy steps! First, someone thinks Pythagoras' theorem "just works" (tell that to the guy who drowned the person who discovered irrational numbers). Then another genius claims Fermat's Last Theorem—which took mathematicians 358 years to prove—is "literally how numbers work." Finally, the coup de grâce: "Nothing in math needs proof." Somewhere, Andrew Wiles is crying into his Fields Medal, and Euclid is rolling in his grave so fast he could power a small city. This is what happens when confidence meets zero understanding—the mathematical equivalent of "trust me bro."

The ultimate mathematical power move: Pierre de Fermat casually drops his Last Theorem, refuses to show his work, and exits the chat permanently. 358 years and one 200-page proof later, mathematicians finally confirmed he wasn't just flexing. The buff Fermat image really captures that big theorem energy—all that mathematical prowess packed into a margin too small to contain it. Next time your professor asks for complete solutions, just cite Fermat's approach to peer review.

Fermat: "All my numbers are prime!" Euler: "Actually, your F 5 = 4,294,967,297 factors as 641 × 6,700,417." The rest of us: *mind explosion* Euler was out here factoring 10-digit numbers BY HAND in the 1700s while I need a calculator to figure out the tip at restaurants. The man wasn't just a mathematician—he was basically the Chuck Norris of number theory. No computers, no calculators, just pure brain power and probably a quill pen that was equally terrified of him. And we think we're clever for solving Wordle.

The face of mathematical delusion! This meme pokes fun at amateur mathematicians on r/numbertheory who think they've disproven Fermat's Last Theorem with a wildly incorrect assumption. For context, Fermat's Last Theorem (which took over 350 years to prove) states that no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy a n + b n = c n for any integer n > 2. The "Q.E.D." at the bottom (Latin for "that which was to be demonstrated") is the cherry on top - the universal symbol mathematicians use after completing a proof. It's basically the mathematical equivalent of dropping the mic while being completely wrong! The confidence-to-competence ratio is off the charts here!

The ultimate mathematical plot twist! Pierre de Fermat famously wrote in the margin of his copy of Arithmetica that he had a "truly marvelous proof" for his Last Theorem (no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy a n + b n = c n for any integer n > 2), but the margin was too small to contain it. Then he DIED without ever writing it down! The proof remained elusive for 358 years until Andrew Wiles finally cracked it in 1994. So imagine poor Fermat's shock if a time traveler popped up while he was just casually scribbling his "I totally have a proof but no room to write it" note, only to inform him that this throwaway comment would torment mathematicians for centuries! His face says it all - from smug confidence to absolute panic in 0.5 seconds. That margin note was the 17th century equivalent of "I know something you don't know" followed by ghosting humanity for three and a half centuries!

When Fermat said "All Fermat numbers are prime!" Euler basically said "Hold my quill pen" and factored 4,294,967,297 into 641 × 6,700,417... by hand . 🤯 Fermat numbers (2 2 n + 1) were thought to be prime for all values, but Euler crushed that dream with pure mathematical wizardry. He didn't need a calculator, supercomputer, or even electricity—just his brain and possibly an unhealthy obsession with large numbers. Meanwhile, I struggle to calculate a 15% tip without my phone. This is why mathematicians are the original flex masters of history!

The greatest mathematical troll in history strikes again! Pierre de Fermat famously claimed to have a proof for his Last Theorem (that no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy a n + b n = c n for any integer n > 2), but wrote in his notes that the margin was too small to contain it. Mathematicians spent 358 YEARS trying to solve it until Andrew Wiles finally did in 1994! And here's "Fermat" polling Twitter about whether to reveal his proof with 17 MILLION votes! The kicker? Even with a 57.5% "yes" vote, that proof is STILL missing! Mathematicians everywhere are having simultaneous heart attacks at this fictional scenario. The margin is STILL too small, apparently! 📝➕➖✖️

The ultimate mathematical cliffhanger! Pierre de Fermat casually dropped his Last Theorem in 1637, claiming he had a "truly marvelous proof" that wouldn't fit in the margin of his book. Then ghosted the entire mathematical community for 358 years! Mathematicians were left desperately asking "you have a proof, right?" while Fermat took his actual proof to the grave. It wasn't until 1994 when Andrew Wiles finally proved it after 7 years of secret work. Talk about the world's longest mathematical tease - Fermat basically left a 358-year-old math homework assignment that nobody could solve!

Behold! A programmer searching for Fermat's Last Theorem solutions with brute force! The code is checking if a³ + b³ = c³ for any integers—which mathematicians proved impossible centuries ago. Meanwhile, the blue-headed villain has cranked their "Mind size" dial to MEGA, thinking they're a genius for this approach. It's like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon while wearing a "Master of Hydrodynamics" badge. Pure computational hubris! The real mathematical joke? This program would run until the heat death of the universe without finding a solution!