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Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

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Re: Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

#51

You need a good tutor. I suggest finding a math major at a local university to teach you. The problem is that, from what I can infer from your description, you don't have the fundamental skills necessary to self-tech effectively. You could try using some of the resources mentioned by other commenters, but chances are this process will much more tedious than if you had a mentor, and you'll probably come to believe var…

Yes, you are right. I've taught proofs in a college setting for thirty years, both in a Discrete Math class largely for CS majors and in a Math major course (done inquiry style). People often convince themselves that they have things right when they are mistaken. Everyone does it, even the best students. OP, you should try to get someone to work with you.

Re: Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

#52

You need a good tutor. I suggest finding a math major at a local university to teach you. The problem is that, from what I can infer from your description, you don't have the fundamental skills necessary to self-tech effectively. You could try using some of the resources mentioned by other commenters, but chances are this process will much more tedious than if you had a mentor, and you'll probably come to believe var…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

#53
Book of Proof by Hammok is a gentle introduction. As others have said you will likely have to go back further , in which case Kahn Academy has great vidoes, and MIT has OpenCourseWare which is great when you figure out the names of the things you are missing, and 3blue1brown has incredible videos on a lots of topics.

It will take time so go at your own pace and enjoy yourself!

Re: Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

#55
post #13

Undergrad discrete mathematics and symbolic logic made proof writing click for me. You have a set of things known to be true as handed down from on high, you have a set of operations to transform those true things into equivalent statements, you then go about the work of using those transformations to connect true statements together into a massive graph and extend that graph through speculation if possible. With tha…

"How to Prove It" was my textbook in my Abstract Algebra class. Absolutely loved it.

Re: Ask HN: How to learn mathematical proofs from scratch?

#60
Writing proofs is like solving a maze. You know where you want to end up, you have some axioms and hypothesis. The more experience you have, the more you’ll know if you are going in the right direction. Still you’ll find yourself going into dead ends.
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