Fermat's Last Theorem nets Oxford professor £500,000

Sir Andrew Wiles wins the mathematical 'Nobel prize' for solving centuries-old mystery

Andrew Wiles
Professor Wiles stands by a statue commemorating Pierre de Fermat in 1995
(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Klaus Barner)

An Oxford academic who proved a mathematical theorem that had stumped scholars for 357 years has been named this year's recipient of an award described as the Nobel prize for maths.

Professor Sir Andrew Wiles has been awarded Norway's prestigious Abel prize - and six million krone (around £500,000) – for his "stunning" proof of Fermat's Last Theorem.

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