Mathematics 201: Evaluation of written proofs
Written proofs will be evaluated for mathematical completeness and
correctness, and for the quality of the writing.
Proofs are graded on a twelve-point scale. Scores correspond to letter
grades as follows:
- [10-12] A
- [ 7- 9] B
- [ 4- 6] C
- [ 1- 3] D
- [ 0 ] F
Completeness and Correctness
- [A] The proof is complete and correct.
- [B] The proof is nearly complete and correct. It has only minor
errors or omissions.
- [C] The proof makes substantial progress, but contains significant errors
or omissions.
- [D] The proof makes some progress, but has major errors or omissions.
- [F] The attempted proof makes no progress.
Standards for Writing Proofs
Keep in mind the following points:
- Address the proof to a reader who has taken a year of calculus.
- Begin with a statement of what is to be proved.
- State your assumptions, and tell what you will prove.
- Use the collaborative pronoun "we."
- Write in complete sentences.
- If you type your proof, set variables in italic type.
- Organize your proof into paragraphs to distinguish separate steps.
For example, the "if" and "only if" parts of a biconditional
should be proved in separate paragraphs.
- Display important equations and formulas by breaking the text,
surrounding the equation with whitespace.
- Text containing displayed equations must still be in complete sentences.
- Tell the reader when the proof is complete.
Additional guidelines will come into play as we acquire a repertoire
of techniques of proof.
