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No. That's the colloquial definition of formal. In mathematics, the word formal refers to something more specific: one or more statements written using a set of
by chongli 2y ago
No. That's the colloquial definition of formal. In mathematics, the word formal refers to something more specific: one or more statements written using a set of symbols which have fully-defined rules for mechanically transforming them into another form.
A formal proof is then one which proceeds by a series of these mechanical steps beginning with one or more premises and ending with a conclusion (or goal).
- koolala 2y agoBoth are a formality based on whats in fashion. I like the Axiom of Choice and not taking Math or words as literal or biblical truth.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- chongli 2y agoIf you're a formalist in philosophy of math, then math is neither true nor false, it's merely a bunch of meaningless symbols you transform via mechanical rules.