Professor presents theorem

After more than 300 years, a possible new discovery in the area of mathematics has been made by Marshall student and Ohio University instructor Walter Mayo.

Mayo offered a proof of Pierre Fermat's theorem using improper and proper evens to Tri-State academicians and public school representatives during a press conference.

"I have solved this formula using a technique that Fermat could have used in the 1600s," Mayo said. "I was trying to put a mathematical structure on prime numbers and noticed a difference in even numbers.

"This solution is beautiful because it is so simple," he added. "I have a solution to Fermat's Theorem that a school-child could understand."

However, no such explanation was given.

This possible discovery of even numbers allowed Mayo to prove Fermat's famous Last Theorem. Mayo said his proof is being examined by a number of technical and non-technical members of the scientific community.

In the 1600s, Fermat was working on an extension of the Pythagorean Theorem. Fermat said he had discovered a proof for his extension, but died before he could reveal it and no proof was ever found.

"I went to Howard University in Washington, D. C., and showed them my proof," Mayo said. "They were astonished by the simplicity of it. This discovery could lead to a whole new area in number theory.

"It took all my 30 years of experience to get to this point. And now I have a chance to influence cryptography language and space travel," he said. "The new forms of improper and proper evens unlock the doors to new solutions and technologies."

Mayo is two finals away from receiving his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Marshall. He also is a math instructor at Ohio University's southern campus in Ironton, Ohio.

Marshall math professor Dr. John L. Drost said it would be premature for him to comment on the discovery.

"I have not seen the proof in written form," Drost said. "Usually when a discovery like this is made, it is written down and shown to other scholars. I, nor my colleagues, have yet to see it."

The NAACP Coalition and other Tri-State interest groups sponsored Mayo's presentation.