CSC165H1 Lecture : CSC165 - Chapter4

• School: UTSG
• Department: Computer Science
• Course: CSC165H1
• Professor: Nathalie Fournier

Document Summary

A proof is an argument that convinces someone who is logical, careful and precise. A proof communicates what (and how) someone understands, to save others time and e ort. If you don"t understand why something is true, don"t expect to be able to prove it! Generally, there are two steps or phases to creating a proof: understanding why something is true. This step typically requires some creativity and multiple attempts until an approach works. You should ask yourself why you are convinced something is true, and try to express your thoughts precisely and logically. This step is the most important (and requires the most e ort), and can be done in the shower or as you lie awake in bed (the two most productive thinking spots). Sometimes we call this finding a proof: writing up your understanding. Every statement you write should be true in the context it"s written.