Why trillions of successful tests are not enough to prove a mathematical truth
In short: In science, theories are tested; in law, we seek certainty beyond reasonable doubt. But in mathematics, even testing a conjecture against trillions of numbers cannot constitute a proof.
In this lecture, Sarah Hart, Gresham Professor of Geometry, explores the fundamental nature of mathematical proof. She distinguishes the rigorous requirements of mathematics from the falsifiability of science and the standards of legal evidence.
The presentation examines what mathematicians specifically mean by a proof and provides examples of Hart's favorite mathematical proofs.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: A Mathematician’s View of Proof - Sarah Hart
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