Method not madness

Your article "A subject in the prime of life"(THES, September 13) presents a striking unity of opposites. On the one hand, the decline of mathematics is attributed to its perceived difficulty; on the other hand, Ian Stewart tries us to convince us that mathematics is healthy on the grounds that there are so many difficult mathematical problems remaining to be solved.

The problem with mathematics is the mathematicians themselves: they are so "result" oriented. The beauty of mathematics is the precision and concision of mathematical arguments, that is, the mathematical "method". The fact that the four-colour theorem has been "proved" by a computer leaves me stone cold. A huge case analysis is not my idea of a good mathematical method. I am equally unimpressed by the fact that Andrew Wiles has "proved" Fermat's last theorem. His first "proof" could not be understood by anyone in its entirety and later turned out to be flawed.

Wake up, mathematicians, before it is too late! A mathematical "result" is worthless unless ordinary folk can understand and reproduce the "method" on which it is based. Mathematics is a participation sport, not the spectator sport that Stewart wants us to glorify.

ROLAND BACKHOUSE Vlierbes 12 Helmond The Netherlands