Introduction

Pierre de Fermat is legendary for his “Last Theorem”, which took more than 350 years to solve. Although this theorem is incredibly famous, I found Fermat’s introduction to this theorem incredibly amusing, writing the problem on the margins of Arithmetica. In these margins, he stated:

Cubum autem in duos cubos, aut quadratoquadratum in duos quadratoquadratos & generaliter nullam in infinitum ultra quadratum potestatem in duos eiusdem nominis fas est dividere cuius rei demonstrationem mirabilem sane detexi. Hanc marginis exiguitas non caperet.

It is impossible to separate a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into two fourth powers, or in general, any power higher than the second, into two like powers. I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this margin is too narrow to contain.

I think most people doubt that Fermat “solved” this theorem, as he probably underestimated it and didn’t solve it completely, although some romantics might believe that Fermat did solve it and had a beautiful answer, but it is now lost through time…

Whether you believe that Fermat solved it or not, I feel that I also have the power to use such an excuse. And thus, I have decided to create a way for anyone to create their own “Fermat margin” using this page. This page also creates custom formats for HTML, Markdown, and LaTeX, in case you wanted to use it for a different occasion. However, this does beg the question?

Can you publish a paper with a Fermat margin?

Custom Fermat Margin

Form

Output

QUEST. I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this MEDIUM is too narrow to contain.

Markdown

    # Fermat's Margin
    QUEST.
    I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this MEDIUM is too narrow to contain.

HTML

    <h1 id="fermats-margin">Fermat's Margin</h1>
    <p id="fermats-margin">
    QUEST.
    I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this MEDIUM is too narrow to contain.
    </p>

LaTeX

    \begin{center}
        {\Large \textbf{Fermat's Margin}}\\
        QUEST.
        I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this MEDIUM is too narrow to contain.
    \end{center}