Methods of Mathematical Proof

[Harry_the_cat]

Check out these methods of mathematical proof. "Proof by illegibility" is probably my favourite.

36 Methods of Mathematical Proof

jwilson.coe.uga.edu

 

[Steven G]

I liked all of them.
I predict that Dan's favorite ones will be-

• Proof by convenience: "It would be very nice if it were true, so..."
• Proof by imagination: "Well, we'll pretend it's true..."

 

[Otis]

Not sure about the first one, but the next three in conjunction with proof by definition and proof by tautology are currently applied (in general) by roughly a third of the citizenry in the USA.

 

[Otis]

... I predict ...

I predict your favorite is Proof by Illegibility.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I liked all of them.
I predict that Dan's favorite ones will be-

• Proof by convenience: "It would be very nice if it were true, so..."
• Proof by imagination: "Well, we'll pretend it's true..."

• Proof by imagination: "Well, we'll pretend it's true..."

Isn't it same as proof by "induction" ...... mathematician's favorite logic!!

 

[JeffM]

I use them all. My tutees never doubt.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

My sons added following:

..........Proof by lack of space in the margin

..........Proof by tessellation: "This proof is the same as the last.” - This is proof by induction

..........Proof by avoidance: Limit of proof by postponement as it approaches infinity

 

[Steven G]

My sons added following:

..........Proof by lack of space in the margin.........

Tell your son that there is always space in the margin, especially for a proof! Actually isn't that why there is a margin?

 

[JeffM]

Tell your son that there is always space in the margin, especially for a proof! Actually isn't that why there is a margin?

NO! The proper phrase is "margin for errors." You need some place to put them.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

NO! The proper phrase is "margin for errors." You need some place to put them.

You mean Fermat did not have sufficient margin of error for last theorem?

 

[JeffM]

You mean Fermat did not have sufficient margin of error for last theorem?

The area of the margin was a > 0. His margin for error in terms of his proof was

[MATH]\dfrac{a}{0} = \infty.[/MATH]
Obviously his margin was insufficient.

 

[Steven G]

You mean Fermat did not have sufficient margin of error for last theorem?

I think Wiles would not be too happy if the proof could fit in a margin.

 

[Steven G]

The area of the margin was a > 0. His margin for error in terms of his proof was

[MATH]\dfrac{a}{0} = \infty.[/MATH]
Obviously his margin was insufficient.

I would never doubt Fermat. Even though he did have many wrong 'theorems'

 

[firemath]

My sons added following:

..........Proof by lack of space in the margin

..........Proof by tessellation: "This proof is the same as the last.” - This is proof by induction

..........Proof by avoidance: Limit of proof by postponement as it approaches infinity

Tell your son to invest in paper tablecloths. You can just continue you work without the "lack of space" excuse.