Pronunciation: [ˈandɹuː wˈa͡ɪlz] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the name of mathematician Andrew Wiles can be confusing due to the silent "e" at the end of his last name. The IPA phonetic transcription for his full name is /ˈændru ˈwaɪlz/. The "w" in Wiles is pronounced as a "w" sound and not a "v" sound. The "i" in "Wiles" is pronounced as a long "i" sound, like the "i" in "time". To spell it phonetically, we can say "w-ai-ls".
Andrew Wiles is a distinguished British mathematician born on April 11, 1953, in Cambridge, England. He is renowned for his groundbreaking work in number theory, specifically for proving Fermat's Last Theorem, a problem that had remained unsolved for over 350 years. Wiles' exceptional intellect and perseverance enabled him to overcome this seemingly insurmountable mathematical challenge.
Fermat's Last Theorem, first proposed by Pierre de Fermat in 1637, states that no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy the equation an + bn = cn for any integer value of n greater than two. Despite numerous attempts by mathematicians throughout history, the theorem had withstood all efforts at proof until Wiles came along.
In 1994, after seven years of intense research conducted privately in his attic, Wiles unveiled his elegant proof to the world. His proof involved intricate applications of algebraic geometry, elliptic curves, and modular forms, merging various branches of mathematics. This achievement not only established Wiles as one of the greatest mathematicians of his generation but also revolutionized the field of number theory.
For his groundbreaking proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, Wiles received numerous prestigious awards and honors, including the Abel Prize in 2016, widely considered mathematics' equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Andrew Wiles' unwavering dedication and profound impact on mathematics have solidified his position as a true mathematical genius and an inspiration to aspiring mathematicians worldwide.
The etymology of the name Andrew Wiles does not have a unique origin as it consists of two separate elements.
1. Andrew: The name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which means manly or masculine. It comes from the Greek word andrós, meaning of a man or male. The name Andrew has its roots in ancient Greek language and culture.
2. Wiles: The surname Wiles is of English origin. Its specific etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to be a variant of the name Willis or Wills, which are derived from the given name William. The surname Wiles may have variations in spelling, pronunciation, and meaning across different regions.
Therefore, Andrew Wiles is a combination of the Greek name Andrew and the English surname Wiles.
