I tried to fit it in with some previous broad conceptual understanding of some part of mathematics that would clarify the particular problem I was thinking about.

I know it's a rare privilege, but if one can really tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything I can imagine.

I grew up in Cambridge in England, and my love of mathematics dates from those early childhood days.

However impenetrable it seems, if you don't try it, then you can never do it.

Then when I reached college, I realized that many people had thought about the problem during the 18th and 19th centuries and so I studied those methods.

The only way I could relax was when I was with my children.

Fermat said he had a proof.