Quest Journals

Research Paper

A Precise Proof for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

(November 03, 2022)

P. N. Seetharaman

Abstract

Fermat’s Last Theorem states that it is impossible to find positive integers A, B and C

satisfying the equation

An + Bn = Cn

where n is any integer > 2.

Taking the proofs of Fermat for the index n = 4, and Euler for n = 3, it is sufficient
to prove the theorem for n = p, any prime > 3 [1].

We hypothesize that all r, s and t are non-zero integers in the equation

rp + s p = t p

and establish contradiction in this proof.

Just for supporting the proof in the above equation, we have another equation

x3 + y 3 = z3

Without loss of generality, we assert that both x and y as non-zero integers; z3 a non-zero
integer; z and z2 irrational.

We create transformed equations to the above two equations through parameters, into which
we have incorporated an Ramanujan - Nagell equation. Solving the transformed equations we
prove the theorem.

Keywords: Transformed Fermat’s Equations through Parameters.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification 2010: 11A–XX.

Received 01 Oct., 2022; Revised 08 Oct., 2022; Accepted 11 Oct., 2022 © The author(s)
*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 1 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

2022. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org

I. Introduction
Around 1637, Pierre-de-Fermat, the French mathematician wrote in the margin of a book
that the equation An + Bn = Cn has no solution in integers A, B and C, if n is any
integer >2. Fermat stated in the margin of the book that he himself had found a marvelous
proof of the theorem, but the margin was too narrow to contain it. His proof is available only
for the index n=4, using infinite descent method.

Many mathematicians like Sophie Germain, E.E. Kummer had proved the theorem for
particular cases. Number theory has been developed leaps and bounds by the immense
contributions by a lot of mathematicians. Finally, after 350 years, the theorem was
completely proved by Prof. Andrew Wiles, using highly complicated mathematical tools
and advanced number theory [2], [3].

Here we are trying an elementary proof.

This paper is an aliter to the paper published in “Quest Journal of Research in Applied
Mathematics” vide Vol. 8, issue 10, 24-32 (2022)[4].

II. Assumptions
1) We initially hypothesize that all r, s and t are non-zero integers satisfying the equation
rp + s p = t p
where p is any prime > 3, with gcd(r, s, t) = 1 and establish a contradiction in this
proof.

2) Just for supporting the proof in the above equation, we have taken another
equation.
x3 + y3 = z3; gcd(x, y, z3) = 1
Without loss of generality, we can have both x and y as non-zero integers, z3 a non-
zero integer; both z and z2 irrational. Since we prove the theorem only in the equation
rp + sp = tp for all possible integral values of r, s and t we have the choice in having
x=32×13; y=64; z3= 643+1173=7×181×1471.

3) By trial and error method, we have created the transformation equations to x3 + y3 =

z3 and rp + sp = tp

using parameters called a, b, c, d, e and f. Creation of such transformation equations

could be done in thousands of ways, but giving a proof is most difficult and rare.
Every time the rational terms in equation (8) we derive from the transformed
equations got cancelled out on both sides. After enormous random trials, the
formulation of transformed equations was achieved to bring out the results for proving
the theorem.

4) Into the transformed equations we have incorporated the Euler’s equation

*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 2 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

2n = 7 + 2

We use only the solution

215 = 7 + 1812

In this proof, where =181. Hence z3=7×1471× .

Proof. We have created the following transformation equations to represent x3 + y3 = z3 and

rp + sp = tp respectively,

⎛ c 1471 + d ⎞
( ) ( )
2 5/3 2
a 13 z 3 + b 2 n / 2 +⎜ ⎟= e 3+ f 7
⎜ 23 n / 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

and
2
⎛ a 7 − b st ⎞ ⎛ c 13 − d r ⎞ ⎛ e 71/ 3 − f 13 z ⎞
2 2

⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
(1)
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ 75/ 3 ⎠
7/3
                              ⎝ ⎠

through the parameters called a, b, c, d, e and f.

We may have

a 13z 3 + b 2n / 2 = x3 (2)

a 7 − b st = rp (3)

c 1471 + d 53
= y 3 23 n / 2 (4)

c 13 − d r = s p 75/ 3 (5)

e 3+ f 7 = z3 (6)

and e 71/ 3 − f 13 z = t p 7 / 3 (7)

Solving simultaneously (2) and (3), (4) and (5), (6) and (7), we get

  a= ( x 3 st + 2n 2 r p )( )
13stz 3 + 7 × 2n 2  

  b= ( 7 x 3 − 13 r p z 3 )( )
13stz 3 + 7 × 2n / 2  

  c= ( 23 n / 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s )( 1471r + 13 5/3
) 

*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 3 | Page

 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

  d= ( 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471× 75 / 3 s p )( 1471r + 13 5/3

) 
  (
e = z 2 13 + 7 7/3 p
t )( 39 z + 7 2 / 3   )
and f = ( 71/ 3 z 3 − 3 × 7/3 p
t )( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 )
From (2) & (4), (5) & (7) and (4) & (7), we get

2 n / 2 × 23 n / 2 = ( x3 − a 13 z 3 )( c 1471 + d 5/3
) (b y ) 3

i.e., {
2n = ( c ) 1471x3 + ( d ) x − ( ac ) 13 × 1471z 3 − ( ad ) 13
5/ 3 3 5/ 3 3
z } (b y ) 3

(
71/ 3 × 75 / 3 = c 13 − d r )( tp 7/3
+ f 13 z ) (e s ) p

i.e.
7= {( c ) 13t p 7/3
+ (13cf ) z − ( d ) rt p 7/3
− ( df ) 13rz } (e s ) p

From

    5/3
× 7/3
= ( )(
23n / 2 y 3 − c 1471 e 71/ 3 − f 13z ) (d t )   p

i.e., 2
= {( e ) 23n 2 71/ 3 y 3 − ( f ) 23n 2 × 13 y 3 z − ( ce ) 1471× 71/ 3 + ( cf ) 13 z × 1471 } (d t )
p

Substituting the above equivalent values of 2n; 7 and 2

in the Ramanujan-Nagell equation
2n = 7 + 2
 after multiplying both sides by {(bde ) }
y 3 s p t p , we get

{( de ) s pt p }{( c ) 1471x 3 + ( d ) 5/3 3

x − ( ac ) 13 × 1471z 3 − ( ad ) 13 5/3 3
z } 
{
                     = ( bd ) y 3t p }{( c ) 13t p 7/3
+ (13cf ) z − ( d ) rt p 7/3
− ( df ) 13rz } 
{
+ ( be ) y 3 s p }{( e ) 23n / 2 71/ 3 y 3 − ( f ) 23n / 213 y 3 z  

− ( ce ) 1471× 71/ 3 + ( cf ) 13 z × 1471 } (8)

Let us find out all rational terms and equate them on both sides of Equation (8), after
multiplying both sides by

( )( )( )
2 2
13stz 3 + 7 × 2 n / 2 1471r + 13 5/3
39 z + 7 2 / 3
 
*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 4 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

to be free from denominators on the parameters a; b; c; d; e and f and again multiplying by

{ 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt }
for getting some rational terms, as worked out below, term by term.

I term in LHS of Equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms, and substituting for
{(cd)e}

= 1471x 3 s p t p ( 13stz 3 + 7 × 2 n / 2 )( 39 z + 7 2 3 )( 7 × 13 z 5t 4/3

) 
× ( 23 n 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3
sp )( 13 × 23 n 2 s y 3 − 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p )( z 2
13 + 7t p 7/3
)
There is no rational part in this term.

II term in LHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms, and substituting for
{d2e} is

= s pt p 53 3
x ( 13stz 3 + 7 × 2n / 2 )( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 )( 7 ×13 4/3 5
zt   )
{( )
× 13 y 3 2 3 n + (1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p ) − 2 13 × 23 n / 2 y 3 ( )( 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p )} ( z 2
13 + 7 7/3 p
t ) 
There is no rational part in this term.

III term in LHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms, and substituting for
{a(cd)e} is

(
= − s pt p ) 13 × 1471z 3 ( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 ) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( stx 3 + 2 n / 2 r p   )
× ( 23 n / 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s )( 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471× 75 / 3 s p )( z 2
13 + 7t p 7/3
) 
On multiplying by,

{( − s pt p ) 13 × 1471z 3 ( 7 2 / 3 ) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 2n / 2 r p   )
× 75 / 3 5/3
sp ( 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 )( z 2
13 )}  
We get

{− ( 2 × 7 )(13 × ) ( z s
n 2 2 2 6 p
t p +1 )( 1471y 3 r p )}  
*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 5 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

where y = 82; this term will be discussed later on.

IV term in LHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms, and substituting for
{ad2e} is

(
= − s pt p ) 13 z 3 5/3
( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 ) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( stx 3 + 2n / 2 r p   )
{( ) (
× 13 y 3 23 n + (1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p ) − 2 13 × 23 n / 2 y 3 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p )} ( z 2
13 + 7t p 7/3
) 
On multiplying by,

{( − s pt p ) 13 5/3 3
z (7 ) 2/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 2n / 2 r p   )
× ( 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p )( −2 13 × 2 3n / 2
y3 )( z 2
13 )}  
We get

{( 2 n +1
× 7 2 × 132 × 2
)( z s6 p
t p +1 )( 1471 y 3 r p )}  
where y = 82; this term will be discussed later on.

I term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{b(cd)} is

( )( ) ( )
2
= t p 13 y 3 7/3
39 z + 7 2 / 3 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3  

× ( 23 n / 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s )( 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471× 75 / 3 s p   )
There is no rational part in this term.

II term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{b(cd)f} is

(
= 13 × y 3 zt p )( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 ) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3   )
× ( 23 n / 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s )( 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471× 75 / 3 s p )( 71/ 3 z 3 − 3 × t p 7/3
) 
(i) Rational part in this term

{(
= 13 × y 3 zt p )( 7 2/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ) 7 x3 75 / 3 5/3
(
s p − 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p )( 71/ 3 z 3 )}  
*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 6 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

= ⎡ − ( 7 3 × 13
⎢⎣ )(s p
)
t p +1 z 3 13 x 3 y 3 1471 × 7 z 3 ⎤
⎥⎦  

(ii) Also on multiplying by

{(13 × y 3 zt p )( 7 2/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt )( − 13r p z 3 ) 75 / 3 5/3
sp
 

(
× − 1471× 75/ 3 s p )( 71/ 3 z 3 )}  
We get

{( 7 ×13 × ) ( z s
3 2 2 6 p
t p +1 ) 1471 y 3 r p } 
This term will be discussed later on.

III term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{bd2} is

( )( ) ( )
2
= − t p y 3r 7/3
39 z + 7 2 / 3 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3  

( )
2
× 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471 × 7 5 / 3 s p

There is no rational part in this term.

IV term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{bd2f} is

(
= − 13 y 3 zt p )( 39 z + 7 2 / 3 ) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3   )
( )( ) 
2
× 13 × 23n / 2 y 3 − 1471× 75 / 3 s p 71/ 3 z 3 − 3 × t p 7/3

There is no rational part in this term.

V term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{be2} is

( )( ) ( )
2
= y 3 23 n / 2 × 71/ 3 s p 1471r + 13 5/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3  

( ) 
2
× z 2 13 + 7 × t p 7/3

There is no rational part in this term.

*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 7 | Page

 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

VI term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting for
{b(ef)} is

( )( ) ( )
2
= − y 3 23n / 2 × 13 zs p 1471r + 13 5/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3  

(
× z 2 13 + 7 × t p 7/3
)( 71/ 3 z 3 − 3t p 7/3
) 
There is no rational part in this term.

VII term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting
for {bce2} is

(
= − 1471× 71/ 3 y 3 s p )( 1471r + 13 5/3
) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3   )
(
× z 2 13 + 7 × t p 7/3
)( 23 n / 2 y 3 r − 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s ) 
On multiplying by

{( − 1471× 7 1/ 3
y3s p ) 13 5/3
7 × 13 × (
z t − 13 × r p z 3
4/3 5
)
× 75 / 3 5/3 p
s (2z 2
7 × 13t p 7/3
)
We get
{( 2 × 7 × 2 4
) × 13 2
(s p
t p +1 )( z )
6
1471 y 3 r p }
where y = 82; this term will be discussed later on.

VIII term in RHS of equation (8), after multiplying by the respective terms and substituting
for {bc(ef)} is

= ( 1471× 13 y 3 zs p )( 1471r + 13 5/3

) 7 × 13 × 4/3 5
zt ( 7 x 3 − 13 × r p z 3   )
(
× z 2 13 + 7 × t p 7/3
)( 23 n / 2 y 3 r + 7 5 / 3 5/3 p
s )( 71/ 3 z 3 − 3t p 7/3
) 
(i) Rational part in this term
= {( 1471×13 y zs ) 3 p
13 5/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
z t 7 x3 75 / 3 5/3
}
s p 71/ 3 z 3  

= {( 7 ×13 ) ( s
2 3 p
)
t p +1 z 3 13 x 3 y 3 1471 × 7 × z 3 } 
(Since x = 32 × 13; y = 82; z3 = 7 × 181 × 1471, where l = 181

*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 8 | Page

 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

(ii) Also on multiplying by,

{( 1471×13 y zs )
3 p
13 5/3
7 × 13 × 4/3 5
(
z t − 13r p z 3 ) 75 / 3 5/3
sp ( 7t p 7/3
) 71/ 3 z 3 }
We get
{− ( 7 × ) (13 s 2 4 2 p
)
t p +1 z 6 1471 × y 3 r p }
This term will be discussed later on.

Case (1):
Sum of all rational terms containing 1471× y 3 r p as a factor on LHS of Equation (8).
= ( 2n × 7 2 × 132 2
)( z s 6 p
t p +1 ) 1471× y 3 r p (Combining III & IV terms)
Similar terms on RHS of Equation (8)
= (132 × 73 × 2
)( z s 6 p
t p +1 ) 1471× y 3 r p (vide II term)

+ (132 × 7 4 × 2
)( z s6 p
t p +1 ) 1471× y 3 r p (combining VI & VIII terms)

= ( 2n × 7 2 × 132 2
)( z s 6 p
t p +1 ) 1471× y 3 r p (∵ 7+ 2
= 2n )
which gets cancelled with LHS term.
Case (2):
There is no rational terms not containing 1471× y 3 r p as a factor on LHS of Equation (8).
Similar terms on RHS of Equation (8)
= − (13 × 7 2 × )( z s 3 p
t p +1 ) 13 x 3 y 3 1471× 7 z 3 ( 7 − 2
)
(combining II & VIII terms)
Equating the rational terms on both sides of Equation (8), after dividing both sides by
( −7 2
× 13 ) z 3 13 x 3 y 3 1471× 7 z 3 ( 7 − 2
)
We get,
(s p
t p +1 = 0)
That is either s = 0 or t = 0. This contradicts our initial hypothesis that all r; s; t all non-zero
integer in the Fermat equation rp + sp = tp and proves that only a trivial solution exists.

III. Conclusion

Since equation (8) in this proof was derived directly from the transformation equations of x3
+ y3 = z3 and rp + sp = tp, the result st = 0, that we have obtained on equating the rational terms
on both sides of Equation (B) should reflect on the Fermat's equation rp + sp = tp.

The only main hypothesis that we made in this proof, namely, r, s and t are non-zero
integers has been shattered by the result st = 0, and proves the theorem.

References

[1] Hardy G. H. and Wright E. M., An introduction to the theory of numbers, VI Edition.
Oxford University Press, 2008, pp. 261-586.
*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 9 | Page
 A Precise for Fermat's Last Theorem using Ramanujan-Nagell Equation

[2] Lawrence C. Washington, Elliptic Curves, Number Theory and Cryptography. Second
Edition, 2003, pp. 445-448.

[3] Andrew Wiles, Modular Elliptic Curves and Fermat's Last Theorem, Annals of
Mathematics, 1995; 141(3); 443-551.

[4] Seetharaman P.N, Quest Journal of Research in Applied Mathematics, Volume-8,

Issue-10, Page 24-32 (2022).

Author's address with his affiliation:

P. N. Seetharaman, B.Sc., B.E.,
(Retired Executive Engineer, Energy Conservation Cell),
Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board, T.N.E.B Head Quarters Office,
Anna Salai, Chennai.

Residential Address:
P. N. Seetharaman, B.Sc., B.E.,
B Block Number 30, Sivagami Flats, Sivagamipuram First Street,
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding Author: P. N. Seetharaman 10 | Page