Formal knowledge

Theorem

A proposition accepted with a proof under stated assumptions.

Definition

Theorem

A theorem is a declared proposition whose proof has been accepted by the applicable proof rules.

A theorem record should identify its exact statement, proof route, assumptions, and dependencies. Different formal systems may state related mathematics using different definitions.

01

Example

The theorem n + 0 = n for natural numbers depends on how natural numbers and addition are defined.

02

Important distinction

A theorem name or prose summary is not a substitute for its formal statement.

After reading this article, you should be able to

  • Define Theorem in the sense used on this site.
  • Identify the statement, assumptions, and proof route needed to interpret a theorem record.