Why a mathematical proof functions more like a recipe than a story
In short: Is math a series of truths to be observed, or a set of instructions to be followed? This lecture explores the linguistic and philosophical parallels between writing a formal proof and crafting a culinary recipe.
Dr. Fenner Tanswell argues that mathematical proofs provide specific recipes for actions that the reader must perform. By analyzing the language used in these proofs, she identifies an unexpected use of the imperative mood—the same grammatical structure found in cooking instructions.
This perspective shifts our understanding of how we read and write mathematics. It suggests that diagrams and formal steps are not just static descriptions but active directions, framing mathematical practice as a performative process similar to participating in a competition like the Great British Bake Off.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: How Mathematical Proofs Are Like Recipes
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