# The Fermat method

> A proof by contradiction used to show that a statement cannot be true for all numbers. If a statement is true for one number, it will also be true for a smaller number, up to infinity, leading to a contradiction and disproving the original statement.

**Wikidata**: [Q619388](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q619388)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_infinite_descent)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-fermat-method


## References

1. [Source](https://www.cut-the-knot.org/WhatIs/WhatIsInfiniteDescent.shtml)
2. Fermat's method of Infinite Descent
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013