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The End of Mathematical Proofs by Humans?
vivin writes "I recall how I did a bunch of Mathematical Proofs when I was in high school. In fact, proofs were an important part of Math according to the CBSE curriculum in Indian Schools. We were taught how to analyze complex problems and then break them down into simple (atomic) steps. It is similar to the derivation of a Physics formula. Proofs form a significant part of what Mathematicians do. However, according to this article from the Economist, it seems that the use of computers to generate proofs is causing mathematicians to 're-examine the foundations of their discipline.' However, critics of computer-aided proofs say that the proofs are hard to verify due to the large number of steps and hence, may be inherently flawed. Defenders of the same point out that there are non computer-aided proofs that are also rather large and unverifiable, like the Classification of Simple Finite Groups. Computer-aided proofs have been instrumental in solving some vexing problems like the Four Color Theorem."
especially when we already know the answer it's looking for. 42
Perhaps his proof was flawed and he realised it so he ripped the last page out?
What does The Economist know? It's a right-wing rag.
What does Slashdot know? It's a left-wing rag.
"Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
How can the review of proof generated by computer by a human be considered "peer" review?
Why not have it verrified by other computers?
Yeah, right. The great AI machine will be delivered in the same week as my flying car. Taking orders now, please form an orderly queue.
According to rumors it will be bundled with Duke Nukem Forever.
On the flip side, according to my calculations, I lost e3 neurons, e1 synapses, and e0.5 operations per second to beer last weekend alone. That almost never happens to a computer.
Proud neuron in the Slashdot hivemind since 2002.