[Haskell-cafe] Re: Induction (help!)

"Luke Palmer" wrote:

On Tue, May 6, 2008 at 4:53 AM, Achim Schneider wrote:

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PR Stanley wrote:

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Hi I don't know what it is that I'm not getting where mathematical induction is concerned. This is relevant to Haskell so I wonder if any of you gents could explain in unambiguous terms the concept please. The wikipedia article offers perhaps the least obfuscated definition I've found so far but I would still like more clarity. The idea is to move onto inductive proof in Haskell. First, however, I need to understand the general mathematical concept.

Top marks for clarity and explanation of technical terms. Thanks Paul

Induction -> from the small picture, extrapolate the big Deduction -> from the big picture, extrapolate the small

Induction has two meanings in mathematics, and I don't believe this is the type of induction the OP was asking about.

See Daniel Fischer's response for the type you are asking about, and try not to be confused by the irrelevant discussion about inductive logic.

I was referring to traditional logic in the aristotlean sense, I should have been more explicit there. The key difference is really whether you define (or proof) the big picture by the small picture, or try to make deductions about some already-existant big thing by the small picture you already have. The method is the same, but the intent and awareness of the model characteristic of your reasoning differ, thus leading to results that are either valid or invalid. -- (c) this sig last receiving data processing entity. Inspect headers for past copyright information. All rights reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and/or broadcasting of this signature prohibited.