# Difference between a Lemma and a Theorem [duplicate]

This question already has an answer here:

What essentially is the difference between a lemma and a theorem in mathematics? More specifically, suppose you come across a general result while solving a mathematical problem, what are the characteristics you would look for before categorizing it as a theorem or lemma?

EDIT: Does a difference of personal perspective count? Does the effort which goes into deriving a result also determine this distinction? I mean if the result is obtained by one person by a simple algebraic manipulation or trivial reasoning and by a complex derivation by another(let's suppose that this second person stumbles across this result while attacking a totally different problem from the first person), then I suppose the first person would call it a lemma and the second person a theorem? (Assuming that the result has great applications.)

PS: This question is the duplicate of another question (by Tamaroff) which is more comprehensive and has excellent answers. But as a result of Jim's last comment below, I have an important doubt, which I think needs to be cleared. This doubt has not come up in the question (by Tamaroff). So I think this post should not yet be closed. I have edited my question to include the doubt, which I raised in my comment below, in the question.

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## marked as duplicate by Pedro Tamaroff♦, Did, Martin Sleziak, Stefan Hansen, Hans LundmarkFeb 21 '13 at 7:28

I asked this before. Let me look. – Pedro Tamaroff Feb 21 '13 at 6:49
Here it is. It is actually the first result you get after searching "lemma theorem" in the site. – Pedro Tamaroff Feb 21 '13 at 6:49
I am going through it right now.Thanks for pointing me. – Nikhil Panikkar Feb 21 '13 at 6:57