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Concept

Theorem

Mathematics

A theorem is a statement that has been proven true within a mathematical system: a well formed statement of the theory shown, by a logical argument using the system's inference rules, to follow necessarily from its axioms and from theorems already established. A theorem is distinct from a conjecture, an unproved statement believed to be true but not yet demonstrated; a conjecture becomes a theorem only once it receives a genuine proof, which is why a long unproved claim such as Fermat's Last Theorem could carry the name theorem for centuries while still awaiting the proof that finally justified it.

Connections

Associated With

Kurt Godel, Scientists

Godel's incompleteness theorems (1931) are the discipline's landmark example of a theorem with proof, showing formal systems powerful enough for arithmetic contain true statements they cannot prove.

Proof, Concepts

A theorem is a statement established as true by a mathematical proof

Belongs To

Logic, Disciplines
Source Theorem (Wikipedia)
Source Theorem (Wikipedia)

Studied In

Source Euclid (MacTutor)
Sources
Euclid (MacTutor)
MacTutor History of Mathematics, University of St AndrewsBiography section
Quote, Biography section
The Elements begins with definitions and five postulates; ... these postulates also implicitly assume the existence of points, lines and circles, and that there is a unique line joining any two points.
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Theorem (Wikipedia)
  • Belongs To: Mathematics, Lead sentence
    In mathematics and formal logic, a theorem is a statement that has been proven, or can be proven.
  • Belongs To: Logic, Lead sentence
    In mathematics and formal logic, a theorem is a statement that has been proven, or can be proven.
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