There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs

Re: There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs by webwarrior on Sunday November 11, 2012 @10:41AM (#4769704)

Didn't get the "engineering major" part. Why he thought that 9 is prime?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re: There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs by Xurinos on Sunday November 11, 2012 @11:27AM (#4769816)

I didn't get it either, but my guess: The engineering student took a literal view. You told him to evaluate the statement; you gave him a rule. If you say all odd numbers greater than 1 are prime, then so be it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re: There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs by dbaupp on Sunday November 11, 2012 @12:32PM (#4770008)

I think it might just be implying that engineering students aren't very good at mathematics.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re: There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs by tel on Sunday November 11, 2012 @02:57PM (#4770400)

Because he doesn't understand what "evaluate the hypothesis" means.

[ Parent | on HN ]