An Unimaginative Proof of Fermat's Two Squares Theorem
History and Overview
2025-08-15 v1 Number Theory
Abstract
We give a simple direct proof of Fermat's two squares theorem. Our argument uses no intricate notions or ideas; one might say that it is a proof by careful bookkeeping. As such, the proof may be particularly easy to comprehend by students who are just starting out in math.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2508.10234,
title = {An Unimaginative Proof of Fermat's Two Squares Theorem},
author = {Gennady Bachman},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.10234},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
Intended as a note for the Monthly but they were unimpressed