Proofs without words

Abstract

Usually, proofs of mathematical statements involve both algebraic rearrangements and logical reasoning. But there are mathematical statements whose truth is obvious at first glance when there is a diagram illustrating that proof. Although the proofs based on the drawing are not necessarily full and complete, but the drawing helps to notice facts that are then easily supported by algebra and logic. The paper presents proofs of mathematical propositions where, upon careful study of the drawing, the main idea of the proof can be seen from the drawing, and the proof itself becomes beautiful and clear.

Keywords

• mathematical propositions
• proofs
• drawing
• proof idea