# Uncertainty in mathematics

I have a solid (but not great) intermediate college experience in math, but now I've started exploring higher-level mathematics, out if curiosity.

I was surprised that there's a lot more uncertainty in more advanced math topics. In both probability and graph theory, I've encountered definitions that use terms open to interpretation.

What's the explanation for this? Am I right to notice that uncertainty increases in more advanced math? Or am I misunderstanding some core concepts?

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Can you give examples of such definitions? –  k.stm Jan 26 '13 at 21:55
Most likely you’re misunderstanding something. Can you give some examples? –  Brian M. Scott Jan 26 '13 at 21:56
Usually it is assumed that there's at most one edge between any two vertices. In my experience with graphs, it is always explicitly mentioned when this is not the case, and so the notation is safe. In the case of multigraphs, the notation of course can no longer be used. –  HSN Jan 26 '13 at 22:10
@GitGud Maybe I'm being pedantic, but the OP seems to be talking about uncertainty in mathematics (e.g. a point is an undefined term) rather than a lack of specificity in mathematical exposition (e.g. an author sometimes forgets to say a graph is simple). –  Austin Mohr Jan 26 '13 at 22:18
The graph example is not an instance of uncertainty about facts; it is an instance of variation in conventions. –  Michael Hardy Jan 26 '13 at 22:21

If you look up a word in a dictionary, you will find it is defined in terms of other words. Those words, in turn, are defined in terms of yet other words, and so on, until you start finding cycles; $x$ is defined in terms of $y$, which is defined in terms of $z$, etc., etc., which is defined in terms of $x$. Despite this, we manage to communicate pretty well, by and large. In any event, our difficulties in communication are due to factors other than uncertainty in the definitions.