Foregående: Kartoffelopgave Op: FAMØS marts 1997 Næste: Postscript - et

Alternative beviser

Det er velkendt, at man kan berige sit sind ganske betydeligt ved at ``sørfe på Internæt''. FAMØS-redaktionen er bl.a. stødt på en beretning om en ny gren af matematikken, der er ved at udvikle sig på den anden side af andedammen. Der er uden tvivl mange muligheder i denne nye retning, og for at yde den fuld retfærdighed, har vi valgt at gengive dens manifest i sin fulde ordlyd:

We're all familiar with the ``Proof by contradiction'' and ``Proof by induction'', but what about these less frequently used but equally effective proofs? Watch for them soon in a lecture near you.

Proof by convection.

Lots of hot air and hand waving.

Proof by reduction.

At each step, ignore some detail of the original problem. Continue the reduction process until the original problem has been reduced to something trivial, at which point the proof is complete.

Proof by obfuscation.

Generously apply Greek letters, sequences, series, partial derivatives, complex numbers, , e and Larch traits. Distance your solution from the original problem as much as possible. Once your audience looks sufficiently perplexed, cancel everything, write ``=0, Q.E.D.'', and smile confidently.

Proof by trepidation.

Write down something which is obviously wrong, then loudly and angrily defy anyone to prove otherwise.

Proof by delegation.

``This proof is left as an exercise.''

Proof by truncation.

Cleverly leave your proof until the end of class. When class time is up and you have not yet finished the proof, announce ``We'll continue this proof next class'' and then promptly forget about it.

Proof by intoxication.

Every time you write an equal sign, take a shot of Jack Daniels. By the time you're done the proof, it makes sense to you even if nobody else gets it.

Proof by prediction.

Write down what you want to prove, then predict that one day it will be proven. Whip out some Tarot cards to support your claim.

Proof by post-hypnotic suggestion.

Begin proof with ``You are growing verrrry sleepy...

Proof by condescension.

Do lots of things ``by inspection'', use the phrase ``It is blatantly obvious that'' and scoff at all questions that arise.

Proof by divine intervention.

Somewhere in the middle of your proof a miracle occurs.

Proof by religion.

Describe your proof, tell your students they have to take it on faith, and instruct them to go home and pray to the all powerful Lambda that they, mere mortals, may be granted the insight to comprehend even a smidgen of this wisdom of the ages.

Proof by bovine excretion.

Reference Spivak to support the part of your proof you have absolutely no idea how to do yourself. Use exact page numbers.

Foregående: Kartoffelopgave Op: FAMØS marts 1997 Næste: Postscript - et