METHODS OF MATHEMATICAL PROOF

METHODS OF MATHEMATICAL PROOF

Blatantly lifted from: http://pw1.netcom.com/%7Eshagbert/

If the proof of a theorem is not immediately apparent, it may be because you are trying the wrong approach. Below are some effective methods of proof that may aim you in the right direction.

Proof by Obviousness The proof is so clear that it need not be mentioned.

Proof by General Agreement All in favor??...

Proof by Imagination Well, we’ll pretend it’s true.

Proof by Convenience It would be nice if this is true, so..."

Proof by Necessity It had better be true or the whole structure of mathematics would crumble to the ground.

Proof by Plausibility It sounds good, so it must be true.

Proof by Intimidation Don’t be stupid. Of course it’s true.

Proof by Lack Of Time Because of the time constraint, I’ll leave the proof to you.

Proof by Postponement The proof for this is tedious, so it is given in the appendix.

Proof by Accident Hey, what have we here?

Proof by Insignificance Who really cares anyway?

Proof by Mumbo-Jumbo &^#H@)(*#@&*RaØ^Îg

Proof by Profanity (example omitted)

Proof by Definition We’ll definite it to be true.

Proof by Tautology It’s true because it’s true.

Proof by Plagiarism As we see on page 289...

Proof by Lost Reference I know I saw this somewhere...

Proof by Calculus The proof requires calculus, so we’ll skip it.

Proof by Terror When Intimidation fails...

Proof by Lack of Interest Does anyone really want to see this?

Proof by Illegibility ()*)($*&#)$

Proof by Logic If it is on the problem sheet, then it must be true.

Proof by Majority Rule Only to be used is General Agreement is impossible.

Proof by Clever Variable Choice Let ‘a’ be the number such that this proof works.

Proof by Tessellation This proof is just the same as the last.

Proof by Divine Word ...And the Lord said, ‘Let it be true; and it came to pass.

Proof by Stubbornness I don’t care what you say! It is true!

Proof by Simplification The proof reduces to the statement 1 + 1 = 2.

Proof by Hasty Generalization Well, it works for 17, so it works for all reals.

Proof by Deception Now everyone turn their backs.

Proof by Supplication Oh, please, let it be true.

Proof by Poor Analogy Well, it’s just like...

Proof by Avoidance The limit of Proof by Postponement as ‘t’ approaches infinity.

Proof by Design If it is not true in today’s math, invent a new system in which it is.

Proof by Intuition I just have this gut feeling...

Proof by Authority Well, Mr. Al Knoweth says it’s true, so it must be.

Proof by Hope Would someone like to put #23 on the board?

Proof by Delay That would be a good one to do over the weekend.

Proof by Coercion That would be a good test question.

Proof by Bribe Anyone need 100 points extra credit??

Proof by Inability The proof is beyond the scope of this course.

Proof by Speculation A corollary of the ‘wild guess’ theorem.

Proof by Devaluation The proof of this problem is trivial.

Proof by Piggy Back The proof follows from the Law of Large Numbers.

Proof by Superior Training Only Cal Tech grads would comprehend the proof.

Proof by General Consensus Everyone knows that...

Proof by Appreciation Let’s discuss the proof Mr. Smart’s class left on the board.

Proof by Obviousness	The proof is so clear that it need not be mentioned.
Proof by General Agreement	All in favor??...
Proof by Imagination	Well, we’ll pretend it’s true.
Proof by Convenience	It would be nice if this is true, so..."
Proof by Necessity	It had better be true or the whole structure of mathematics would crumble to the ground.
Proof by Plausibility	It sounds good, so it must be true.
Proof by Intimidation	Don’t be stupid. Of course it’s true.
Proof by Lack Of Time	Because of the time constraint, I’ll leave the proof to you.
Proof by Postponement	The proof for this is tedious, so it is given in the appendix.
Proof by Accident	Hey, what have we here?
Proof by Insignificance	Who really cares anyway?
Proof by Mumbo-Jumbo	&^#H@)(#@&RaØ^Îg
Proof by Profanity	(example omitted)
Proof by Definition	We’ll definite it to be true.
Proof by Tautology	It’s true because it’s true.
Proof by Plagiarism	As we see on page 289...
Proof by Lost Reference	I know I saw this somewhere...
Proof by Calculus	The proof requires calculus, so we’ll skip it.
Proof by Terror	When Intimidation fails...
Proof by Lack of Interest	Does anyone really want to see this?
Proof by Illegibility	())($&#)$
Proof by Logic	If it is on the problem sheet, then it must be true.
Proof by Majority Rule	Only to be used is General Agreement is impossible.
Proof by Clever Variable Choice	Let ‘a’ be the number such that this proof works.
Proof by Tessellation	This proof is just the same as the last.
Proof by Divine Word	...And the Lord said, ‘Let it be true; and it came to pass.
Proof by Stubbornness	I don’t care what you say! It is true!
Proof by Simplification	The proof reduces to the statement 1 + 1 = 2.
Proof by Hasty Generalization	Well, it works for 17, so it works for all reals.
Proof by Deception	Now everyone turn their backs.
Proof by Supplication	Oh, please, let it be true.
Proof by Poor Analogy	Well, it’s just like...
Proof by Avoidance	The limit of Proof by Postponement as ‘t’ approaches infinity.
Proof by Design	If it is not true in today’s math, invent a new system in which it is.
Proof by Intuition	I just have this gut feeling...
Proof by Authority	Well, Mr. Al Knoweth says it’s true, so it must be.
Proof by Hope	Would someone like to put #23 on the board?
Proof by Delay	That would be a good one to do over the weekend.
Proof by Coercion	That would be a good test question.
Proof by Bribe	Anyone need 100 points extra credit??
Proof by Inability	The proof is beyond the scope of this course.
Proof by Speculation	A corollary of the ‘wild guess’ theorem.
Proof by Devaluation	The proof of this problem is trivial.
Proof by Piggy Back	The proof follows from the Law of Large Numbers.
Proof by Superior Training	Only Cal Tech grads would comprehend the proof.
Proof by General Consensus	Everyone knows that...
Proof by Appreciation	Let’s discuss the proof Mr. Smart’s class left on the board.