For questions about the writing of proofs. But instead of focusing the mathematics behind the proof, these questions ask about the details and implementation of the proof.

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11 views

How to justify the equality $-\int_{0}^{2\pi}k^2v\ du=-\int_{0}^Lk^2ds$ in this proof?

Consider the curvature flow $$\frac{\partial F}{\partial t}=kN,$$ where $k$ is the curvature and $N$ the inner unit normal and $F:S^1\times [0, T)\rightarrow \mathbb R^2$ is a family of closed curves. ...
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1answer
39 views

Proving $\forall f\in \mathscr F\exists g\in \mathscr F $ so that $g(f(1)) = 2$.

Let $\mathscr F$ denote the set of all functions from $\{1,2,3\}$ to $\{1,2,3\}$. Prove or disprove. (a) $\forall f\in \mathscr F\exists g\in \mathscr F $ so that $g(f(1)) = 2$. (b) $\forall f\in ...
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1answer
38 views

Is my proof showing $Q$ is non-measurable complete?

Is my proof valid or complete? if not, what is missing?? Define $R$ on $[0, 1)$. When $x,y\in [0, 1)$, $xRy \iff y-x$ is a rational number. Then $R$ is an equivalence relation. Let $Q$ be the set ...
0
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1answer
28 views

Bolzano-Weierstrass theorems question

Prove following theorem. Theorem : If $x$ is a sequence of real numbers that is both bounded and monotone, then $x$ converges. I know that $x$ is a sequence of real numbers that is both bounded and ...
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3answers
101 views

Proving or Disproving the Sum in a Set

I am doing review questions for an exam and I am completely stumped on this particular question: Let A = {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30,32}. Prove or disprove that if I select 10 distinct ...
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1answer
24 views

Finding the probability that X will be successful if its success is predicted

Consider an electronics company is planning to introduce a new camera phone. The company commissions a marketing report for each newproduct that predicts either the success or the failure of the ...
11
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1answer
141 views

Is there such a thing as a mathematical thesaurus?

I want this for two reasons: When writing proofs, I am constantly in need of synonyms of basic words like thus, there exists, for all, such as, contains, etc. A lot of mathematical concepts have ...
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1answer
40 views

Proof of algorithm refinement

I recently had an interview in which I was asked to produce an algorithm to that computes the pairs of integers, from a list, that add up to a integer k. I then had to increase the time efficiency of ...
3
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4answers
135 views

Proving that $T(n) = 3T\left(\frac n3\right) + \sqrt n = \Theta(n)$

Show that $T(n)$ is bounded both above and below by $n$ (abusing the Big O notation) for some positive constants $c_1$ and $c_2$: $$ T(n) = 3T\left(\frac n3\right) + \sqrt n = \Theta(n) $$ ...
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5answers
92 views

Prove $(A \triangle B) \cap (B\triangle C) \cap (C\triangle A) = \emptyset$

This can be proved by assuming that there exists some $x \in (A \triangle B) \cap (B\triangle C) \cap (C\triangle A) $ and then deriving a contradiction by considering each of the cases that arise. ...
3
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0answers
39 views

(DFM) vs (DFS) spaces, Banach scales

I have already posted this question on MO: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/126007/dfm-vs-dfs-spaces-banach-scales However, not having received any feedback, I decided to repost it, since I have the ...
0
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0answers
28 views

Proof that a sequence of numbers $A_i$ is an infinite product of complex residues correct? [closed]

Is the above proof correct? Assume that theorem 2 is true without proof Thanks Edit: At the end it should be $2^n$, not $2n$
2
votes
1answer
19 views

Show that functions of one equation satisfy another

I am trying to show that if $A(x) $ and $ B(t)$ are a solution to $$c A(x) + d B(t) = 0$$ where $c$ and $d$ are non-zero constants, then $A(x) $ and $ B(t)$ automatically satisfy ...
3
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4answers
70 views

Proof of $\sqrt{2^{2^k}} = 2^{2^{k-1}}$?

It's quite easy to observe that for $k \ge 0$: $$ \begin{align} 2^{2^k} &= 4, 16, 256, 65536, \dots\\ \sqrt{2^{2^k}} &= 2, 4, 16, 256,\dots \end{align} $$ More in general: $$ \sqrt{2^{2^k}} ...
2
votes
2answers
49 views

For any normal subgroup $(aN)^n=(a^n) N$ holds

Prove this theorem Let $G$ be a group and $N$ a normal subgroup of $G$. If $a \in G$ and $n \in Z$, then $(aN)^n = (a^n) N$. I know I should prove this theorem in 3 cases where $n = 0$, $n>0$, ...
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4answers
84 views

Prove that $A \mathop \triangle C \subseteq (A \mathop \triangle B)\cup (B \mathop \triangle C)$

Suppose A, B, and C are sets, prove that $A \mathop \triangle C \subseteq (A \mathop \triangle B)\cup (B \mathop \triangle C)$ I'm just wondering if this proof is ok, or if I'm overlooking something, ...
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1answer
56 views

Proof of limit ratio theorem

My professor defines the Limit Ratio Theorem as follows: Assume that $\displaystyle\lim_{n \mapsto \infty} \frac{f(n)}{g(n)}=c$, where $c$ is a constant or $\infty$. If $0 \leq c < ...
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2answers
55 views

How to calculate this?$S=\sum\limits_{i=1}^\infty(-1)^i(i-1)!x^i$

How to calculate this equation $S=\sum\limits_{i=1}^\infty(-1)^i(i-1)!x^i$ ?
3
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1answer
80 views

Prove $\frac{1}{bc + cd + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + cd + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + bc + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + bc + cd -1} \le 2$

If $a,b,c,d > 0$ and $abcd = 1$, prove that the following inequality holds: $$\frac{1}{bc + cd + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + cd + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + bc + da -1} + \frac{1}{ab + bc + cd -1} \le ...
2
votes
1answer
156 views

Error in Proof of Residues?

I wanted to prove that the function $$F(z) = \frac{z-\sum_{j =2}^{n-1} z^j}{1-\sum_{k=1}^{n} z^k} $$ will only contain simple poles. Is the following proof correct? Which implies that $z_o$ ...
1
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1answer
90 views

Using Cauchy's Inequality to prove a function's second derivative is zero

Let $f$ be an entire function (i.e. analytic everywhere, i.e. holomorphic) such that $\left\vert f(z) \right\vert \leq A \left\vert z \right\vert$, $\forall z \in \Bbb{C} $, where $A$ is a fixed ...
4
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0answers
106 views

extension of Cauchy's Integral formula

This question is from Brown and Churchill's Complex Variables and Applications, 8ed., Section 52, Question 6. Let $f(s)$ denote a continuous function taken along a simple contour, $C$ enclosing a ...
3
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4answers
101 views

Is this a valid proof by induction?

I want to prove by induction that $a^n \mid b^n$ implies that $a \mid b$ holds for all integers $n\geq 1$. clearly for $n=1$ this is true, since if $a \mid b$, then $a \mid b$. Suppose this is true ...
6
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3answers
98 views

Prove that if $\mathcal P(A) \cup \mathcal P(B)= \mathcal P(A\cup B)$ then either $A \subseteq B$ or $B \subseteq A$. [duplicate]

Prove that for any sets $A$ or $B$, if $\mathcal P(A) \cup \mathcal P(B)= \mathcal P(A\cup B)$ then either $A \subseteq B$ or $B \subseteq A$. ($\mathcal P$ is the power set.) I'm having trouble ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views

Finding the pre-image $f^{-1}(T)$ for $T = [4, 9)$ and $f(x) = x^2$

This is a homework question. My class is titled "Formal Mathematical Reasoning and Writing" and we are using Lay's Analysis with an Introduction to Proof. My question comes from section 7: ...
2
votes
2answers
92 views

Prove that $A \subset B$ if and only if $A \cap B = A$

Prove that $A \subset B$ if and only if $A \cap B = A$ I'm having problems writing this proof using formal logic operators. I know the idea behind it: Since $A \subset B$, the only elements A and ...
5
votes
5answers
237 views

Minimum of $x^2 + 3x - 1$ on $[0,1]$ and $[-2,2]$

Consider the problem of finding the absolute minimum of the function $f : [0,1] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ that satisfies $f(x)=x^2 + 3x - 1$ everywhere. Suppose we suspect, by graphical methods, that ...
5
votes
4answers
121 views

Prove that if $A \mathop \triangle B \subseteq A$ then $B\subseteq A$

I'm having trouble with the logic in this proof and was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction (if I'm wrong)? Prove that if $A\mathop\triangle B\subseteq A$ then $B\subseteq A$. ...
5
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5answers
113 views

Proving $n+3 \mid 3n^3-11n+48$

I'm really stuck while I'm trying to prove this statement: $\forall n \in \mathbb{N},\quad (n+3) \mid (3n^3-11n+48)$. I couldn't even how to start.
5
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1answer
69 views

If F→G is a consequence of F, then so is ¬G→¬F. A direct proof?

Homework question (introduction to logic): "If $F \to G$ is a consequence of $\mathcal F$, then so is $\lnot G \to \lnot F$. We refer to this rule as $\to$-contrapositive. Verify this rule by giving ...
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2answers
118 views

Proof Help: Membership Table

I am new to proofs with membership tables and this is the last question I am posting. I am trying to teach myself discrete math and am stuck on this: Let $ A, B$ and $C$ be sets in the universal ...
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4answers
85 views

Proving by induction that $1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \ldots + n^3 = \left[\frac{n(n+1)}{2}\right]^2$

Need guidance on this proof by mathematical induction. I am new to this type of math and don't know how exactly to get started. $$ 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + \ldots + n^3 = ...
0
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1answer
53 views

Big-O Big theta Big omega papers

I'm studying algorithms complexities by myself (my university didn't it to me) and I'd love if someone could help me in finding good resources to learn fundamental algorithms complexities proofing. ...
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3answers
97 views

Show that if $n$ and $k$ are integers with $1 ≤ k ≤ n$, then ${n\choose k} \le (n^k)/ 2^{k−1}$

I've looked everywhere but I've been unable to come up with a way to show that if $n$ and $k$ are both integers such that $1 ≤ k ≤ n$, then: $${n \choose k} \le \frac{n^k}{2^{k−1}}$$ Thank you!
0
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2answers
73 views

Complex Numbers Proof

I have the statement, $|1 -zw^*|^2 - |z-w|^2 = (1 - |z|^2)(1-|w|)^2)$ Expanding $|1 -zw^*|^2$ gives me: $1 - z^*w -zw^* - |z|^2$ Expanding $|z-w|^2$ gives: $|z|^2 - zw^* - z^*w + |w|^2$ Subtracting ...
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2answers
86 views

Can anyone help me understand this Strong Mathematical Induction proof?

I'm not sure if we're allowed to post pictures but I thought it would be easier to read and I didn't see anything in the rules about it. It's question 1. Section 5.4 This question: Here is the ...
1
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2answers
57 views

Probability Proof.

Write a proof to show that $\mathbb{P}(X_1 \mid X_3) + \mathbb{P}(X_2 \mid X_3) - \mathbb{P}(C_1 \cap X_2 \mid X_3) = \mathbb{P}(X_1 \cup X_2\mid X_3)$ labeling theorems used for each step. My ...
15
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4answers
257 views

Prove $\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} \ge ab + bc + ca$

Let $a,b,c$ are non-negative numbers, such that $a+b+c = 3$. Prove that $\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} \ge ab + bc + ca$ Here's my idea: $\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b} + \sqrt{c} \ge ab + bc + ca$ ...
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0answers
34 views

Find the number of permutations in these words

Finding the number of permutations in these three words, am I doing this correctly? a) CORRECT = $\frac{7!}{2!\cdot2!} = 1260$ b) COEFFICIENT = $\frac{11!}{2!\cdot2!\cdot2!\cdot2!} = 2494800$ c) ...
1
vote
1answer
18 views

How many permutations of this set can be made?

How many permutations of the set of seven letters (A,B,C,D,E,F,G) have the two vowels before the five consonants? I'm wondering here if we use the set of 7! - 2! since they can only occupy the first ...
1
vote
3answers
118 views

Showing that $3n<n!$ whenever $n$ is an integer with $n \geq 7$

How can we show that: $$3n< n!$$ whenever $n$ is an integer such that $n \geq 7$ ? I was thinking that we can prove this by showing that such case is true with any integer above 7, but ...
1
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3answers
83 views

How many different permutations of this set don't have vowels on the ends?

If we have the set of seven letters: (A,B,C,D,E,F,G) then how many permutations of these seven letters do not have vowels on the ends (that is, both the first and last letters are consonants)? I was ...
0
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0answers
32 views

I wanna prove if the composite are equal to each other

Given $f : \{0,1\}^n \to \{0,1\}^n$, define $f': \{0,1\}^{2n} \to \{0,1\}^{2n}$ as follows: for $x, r \in \{0,1\}^n$ define $f'(x \circ r) := f(x) \circ r$ (where $\circ$ denotes concatenation). Prove ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views

What is the difference between $Γ⊭Φ$ and $Γ⊭¬Φ$?

Did I understand this correctly? $Γ⊨Φ$ ($Φ$ is considered true) $Γ⊨¬Φ$ ($Φ$ is considered false) $Γ⊭Φ$ ($Φ$ is considered neither true nor false) $Γ⊭¬Φ$ ??? Please help me understand. How can ...
3
votes
3answers
128 views

Expressing variable in terms of other independent variables.

I am going through a proof for the existence of temperature (a proof written in C. J. Adkins equilibrium thermodynamics, if anyone is interested) and I am confused about one of the steps. I am hoping ...
1
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1answer
88 views

The shape of mathematical self-tutelage

I am interested primarily in physics, and I am generally self-taught in mathematics. However, this implies an inaptitude for rigorous proof. While I am confident that I can grasp the concepts and ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views

Providing a sketch for a proof before proceeding through the actual proof. [closed]

Question is pretty straightforward. My mathematics is sloppy, and I recognize my inaptitude in that my proofs are more or less too intuitive. My diagnosis dictates the fact that I attack a problem ...
4
votes
2answers
245 views

A continuous function $f$ from a closed bounded interval $[a, b]$ into $\mathbb{R}$ is uniformly continuous

I am reading (as a supplement) the book Basic Real Analysis, by Anthony Knapp. Before I proceed into reading a proof, I want to be sure that the result seems obvious. Yet, I am having trouble seeing ...
1
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0answers
50 views

Examining every mathematical result in purely formal, ZFC language.

My main interest is physics. However, being self-taught in mathematics for the most part, my proofs tend to be more intuitive than it is acceptable. Yet, I recognize my inaptitude in rigor, and I ...
2
votes
3answers
90 views

Prove$\overline{(A \cap B \cap C)} = \overline{A} \cup \overline{B} \cup \overline{C}$ By Subsets

This problem I am trying to solve is one I alluded to in this thread: Proving By Subsets I am having difficulty with proof by subsets, so I am aware that I am missing steps; I would certainly ...

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