11,271 research outputs found

    On Constructive Axiomatic Method

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    In this last version of the paper one may find a critical overview of some recent philosophical literature on Axiomatic Method and Genetic Method.Comment: 25 pages, no figure

    Developing Students Ability To Write Mathematical Proof By Polya Method

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    Both writing and reading a proof is equally not easy. Some mathematicians attested that students found difficulties in mathematical proving. Mathematics and mathematics education experts like Jones (1997, 2001), Weber (2001), and Smith (2006) found that difficulty in proof writing is due to: lack of theorem and concept understanding, lack of proving ability, and there is a teaching-learning process that unites with the subject. So, it is truly needed that class of writing proof in order to help to generate students’ ability to do mathematical proving. Polya method is going to be that purpose. Keywords: mathematics proof, Polya metho

    Arithmetic, Set Theory, Reduction and Explanation

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    Philosophers of science since Nagel have been interested in the links between intertheoretic reduction and explanation, understanding and other forms of epistemic progress. Although intertheoretic reduction is widely agreed to occur in pure mathematics as well as empirical science, the relationship between reduction and explanation in the mathematical setting has rarely been investigated in a similarly serious way. This paper examines an important particular case: the reduction of arithmetic to set theory. I claim that the reduction is unexplanatory. In defense of this claim, I offer evidence from mathematical practice, and I respond to contrary suggestions due to Steinhart, Maddy, Kitcher and Quine. I then show how, even if set-theoretic reductions are generally not explanatory, set theory can nevertheless serve as a legitimate foundation for mathematics. Finally, some implications of my thesis for philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of science are discussed. In particular, I suggest that some reductions in mathematics are probably explanatory, and I propose that differing standards of theory acceptance might account for the apparent lack of unexplanatory reductions in the empirical sciences

    Tarski's influence on computer science

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    The influence of Alfred Tarski on computer science was indirect but significant in a number of directions and was in certain respects fundamental. Here surveyed is the work of Tarski on the decision procedure for algebra and geometry, the method of elimination of quantifiers, the semantics of formal languages, modeltheoretic preservation theorems, and algebraic logic; various connections of each with computer science are taken up

    First-Order Logic Foundation of Relativity Theories

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    Motivation and perspective for an exciting new research direction interconnecting logic, spacetime theory, relativity--including such revolutionary areas as black hole physics, relativistic computers, new cosmology--are presented in this paper. We would like to invite the logician reader to take part in this grand enterprise of the new century. Besides general perspective and motivation, we present initial results in this direction.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figure
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