Mathematical proof is an inferential argument for a mathematical statement, showing that the stated assumptions logically guarantee the conclusion.
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Mathematical proof is an inferential argument for a mathematical statement, showing that the stated assumptions logically guarantee the conclusion.
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The development of mathematical proof is primarily the product of ancient Greek mathematics, and one of its greatest achievements.
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Mathematical proof was revolutionized by Euclid, who introduced the axiomatic method still in use today.
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For example, direct Mathematical proof can be used to prove that the sum of two even integers is always even:.
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Probabilistic Mathematical proof is one in which an example is shown to exist, with certainty, by using methods of probability theory.
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Probabilistic Mathematical proof is not to be confused with an argument that a theorem is 'probably' true, a 'plausibility argument'.
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Combinatorial Mathematical proof establishes the equivalence of different expressions by showing that they count the same object in different ways.
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Nonconstructive proof establishes that a mathematical object with a certain property exists—without explaining how such an object can be found.
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In contrast, a constructive Mathematical proof establishes that a particular object exists by providing a method of finding it.
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However, computers are now used both to prove theorems and to carry out calculations that are too long for any human or team of humans to check; the first Mathematical proof of the four color theorem is an example of a computer-assisted Mathematical proof.
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In practice, the chances of an error invalidating a computer-assisted Mathematical proof can be reduced by incorporating redundancy and self-checks into calculations, and by developing multiple independent approaches and programs.
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An elementary Mathematical proof is a Mathematical proof which only uses basic techniques.
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Particular way of organising a proof using two parallel columns is often used as a mathematical exercise in elementary geometry classes in the United States.
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