Help:Using Wikipedia for mathematics self-study: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:07, 27 November 2016

Revision as of 03:08, 27 November 2016

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When it comes to more advanced topics, mathematics is developed, and largely hangs together, by means of the large body of quite formal ''[[Mathematical proof|proofs]]'' that exist in the mathematical literature. Wikipedia does not attempt to condense all of these proofs into encyclopedic form, for reasons that are discussed at length in [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Mathematics/Proofs|another essay]]. Wikipedia assembles the facts uncovered by mathematical investigation, and the definitions underlying the abstract theories. In common with other mathematical encyclopedias, it omits most proofs.

Although learning mathematics involves memorization of the sort of factual knowledge that Wikipedia provides, memorization is not enough to master the field. To become a mathematician, you must acquire the skills of creating proofs and doing calculations for yourself, to internalize the material.; Thereforetherefore, you must go beyond the outline a Wikipedia article can supply. We hope that Wikipedia articles can provide a good starting point for the process, along with a reference for topics you have already learned.

==Caveats==