Talk:Nonconstructive proof
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To make this into a proper article, we need some examples of nonconstructive proofs, and discussion thereof.
- See Votes for deletion for some discussion about the article too :) Dysprosia 10:52, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
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Same as existence proof?
I removed "or an existence proof" from the opening sentence, because as I see it, constructive proofs are also existence proofs! The existence theorem article distinguishes "pure existence theorems" which are proven by nonconstructive methods; in this terminology, wouldn't a nonconstructive proof just be a "pure existence proof"? -- Oliver P. 11:25, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- I put it back - Sorry, I missed the talk. But it is also known as an existence proof as well, but I'll add your point. Dysprosia 11:27, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- Okay, fair enough. Thanks. :) -- Oliver P. 11:33, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- No problem-o :) Dysprosia 11:34, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
Accommodating mathematical constructivism
Also, I'm not sure how far we have to fo to accommodate supporters of mathematical constructivism. If they say that nonconstructive proofs are invalid, do we have to say that they only purport to prove things? -- Oliver P. 11:25, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
LA example
I think that in linear algebra class we first proved that there existed a function that satiesifed the properties we wanted for the determinant, before showing what it actually was -- Tarquin 11:40, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
From VfD
- Nonconstructive
- Dictionary definition. -- Oliver P. 10:34, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- Keep, could redirect to Mathematical proof? (A nonconstructive proof might be thought of as a "not-constructive" proof, then a proof of existence...) Dysprosia 10:47, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- I think in this context "nonconstructive" is meant as the exact antonym of mathematical constructivism, so it should just redirect there. --Delirium 10:58, Aug 22, 2003 (UTC)
- NB someone's already made a redirect/move to Nonconstructive proof... Dysprosia 11:13, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
- Suggest removal from here, this is now a real stub article...
- Dictionary definition. -- Oliver P. 10:34, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
I'm removing the entry from VfD as I'm sure no-one wants it deleted now. -- Oliver P. 23:06, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)
Gödel's incompleteness theorem and the intermediate value theorem are both really constructive theorems. Why are they put here? Phys 13:30, 25 Aug 2003 (UTC)