Dr. Sarah's Proof-Writing Checklist for MATH 3110

This list will be used to grade your assignment.

Proof Introduction

  • Are the hypotheses clearly stated?
  • Is the goal of the proof clearly stated?
  • Is the goal of the proof clearly reworded using definitions?
     

    Body of the Proof

  • Are all of the hypotheses clearly reworded using definitions?
  • Does the proof use the hypotheses correctly?
  • Does the proof give evidence of deep mathematical understanding of the problem and its solution?
  • Is the proof as brief and elegant as possible?
  • Does the proof make logical sense?
  • Is the proof correct?
  • Does this proof prove the general case?

    From One Step to the Next

  • Does each step follow logically from the previous step?
  • Is the connection between steps clearly explained?

    Terminology

  • Are all variables, terminology, and notation that are used in the proof clearly defined?
  • Do all variables, terminology, and notation represent the general case (avoid hidden assumptions)?

    When Using a Theorem from Class or from the Textbook...

  • Is the theorem clearly stated and is acknowledgement given?

  • Are all of the hypotheses of the theorem satisfied?

    • Conclusion

  • Does the proof have the correct conclusion?
  • Is the conclusion clearly restated at the end?

    In a proof by contradiction...

  • Is the contradiction hypothesis correct?

  • Is the contradiction clearly explained?