Related papers: Passages of Proof
In parallel to the ever-growing usage of mechanized proofs in diverse areas of mathematics and computer science, proof assistants are used more and more for education. This paper surveys previous work related to the use of proof assistants…
Real-life conjectures do not come with instructions saying whether they they should be proven or, instead, refuted. Yet, as we now know, in either case the final argument produced had better be not just convincing but actually verifiable in…
We discuss a practical method for assessing mathematical proof online. We examine the use of faded worked examples and reading comprehension questions to understand proof. By breaking down a given proof, we formulate a checklist that can be…
A proof of quantumness is a method for provably demonstrating (to a classical verifier) that a quantum device can perform computational tasks that a classical device with comparable resources cannot. Providing a proof of quantumness is the…
The learning of mathematics starts early but remains far from any theoretical considerations: pupils' mathematical knowledge is first rooted in pragmatic evidence or conforms to procedures taught. However, learners develop a knowledge which…
Recent developments show that AI can prove research-level theorems in mathematics, both formally and informally. This essay urges mathematicians to stay up-to-date with the technology, to consider the ways it will disrupt mathematical…
In proof theory the notion of canonical proof is rather basic, and it is usually taken for granted that a canonical proof of a sentence must be unique up to certain minor syntactical details (such as, e.g., change of bound variables). When…
An age-old controversy in mathematics concerns the necessity and the possibility of constructive proofs. The controversy has been rekindled by recent advances which demonstrate the feasibility of a fully constructive mathematics. This…
We give a procedure for counting the number of different proofs of a formula in various sorts of propositional logic. This number is either an integer (that may be 0 if the formula is not provable) or infinite.
Mechanical reasoning is a key area of research that lies at the crossroads of mathematical logic and artificial intelligence. The main aim to develop mechanical reasoning systems (also known as theorem provers) was to enable mathematicians…
Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated impressive capabilities in structured reasoning and symbolic tasks, with coding emerging as a particularly successful application. This progress has naturally motivated efforts to extend these…
The essay consists of three parts. In the first part, it is explained how theory of algorithms and computations evaluates the contemporary situation with computers and global networks. In the second part, it is demonstrated what new…
Mathematical proofs should be paired with formal proofs, whenever feasible.
In various provers and deductive verification tools, logical transformations are used extensively in order to reduce a proof task into a number of simpler tasks. Logical transformations are often part of the trusted base of such tools. In…
While proof is a central component of postsecondary mathematical study, proof construction has historically posed significant difficulties for students who intend to earn mathematics degrees at the undergraduate level. This work is…
Quantum computing exposes the brilliance of quantum mechanics through computer science and, as such, gives oneself a marvelous and exhilarating journey to go through. This article leads along that journey with a historical and current…
The proofs first generated by automated theorem provers are far from optimal by any measure of simplicity. In this paper I describe a technique for simplifying automated proofs. Hopefully this discussion will stimulate interest in the…
In order to work with mathematical content in computer systems, it is necessary to represent it in formal languages. Ideally, these are supported by tools that verify the correctness of the content, allow computing with it, and produce…
Representation determines how we can reason about a specific problem. Sometimes one representation helps us find a proof more easily than others. Most current automated reasoning tools focus on reasoning within one representation. There is,…
We present an overview of how certain computational tools currently interact with mathematical practice, and reflect on the implications for research mathematics in the short to medium term, as the field navigates the emerging age of AI and…