Question on mathematical writing

Question

I am now writing my graduate thesis, it includes some basics mathematical theorems/propositions.

I got a trouble in writing, more concretely, I do not know when can I state a mathematical claim as a theorem/proposition.

So what is the difference between a proposition and a theorem? When can I state a mathematical claim as a theorem and as a proposition?

I beg your pardon for my stupid question. Please help me. Thanks

Closely related (if not a duplicate) – t.b. May 17 '12 at 02:23 — t.b., May 17 '12 at 02:23

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered May 17 '12 at 02:25

2

A wiki article summarizing the difference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theorem#Terminology

answered May 17 '12 at 02:25

Eugene

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score 2 · Answer 2 · answered May 17 '12 at 02:40

Choosing which results should be labeled theorem and which results should be labeled proposition or lemma is probably part of the work you need to do when writing your thesis.

I suggest you reserve theorem for the really important results that you want to highlight, even if you don't prove them in the text.

Question on mathematical writing

2 Answers2