--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you have to prove a theorem, do not…" description: "\"If you have to prove a theorem, do not rush. First of all, understand fully what the theorem says, try to see clearly what it means. Then check the the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/george-polya-10766_checks_if-you-have-to-prove-a-theorem-do-not-ru_1869863.jpg" --- # If you have to prove a theorem, do not rush. First of all… ![“If you have to prove a theorem, do not rush. First of all, understand fully what the theorem says, try to see clearly what it means. Then check the theorem; it could be false. Examine the consequences, verify as many particular instances as are needed to convince yourself of the truth. When you…” quote by George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/george-polya-10766_checks_if-you-have-to-prove-a-theorem-do-not-ru_1869863.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/george-polya-10766_checks_if-you-have-to-prove-a-theorem-do-not-ru_1869863.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/george-polya-10766_checks_if-you-have-to-prove-a-theorem-do-not-ru_1869863.jpg) > “If you have to prove a theorem, do not rush. First of all, understand fully what the theorem says, try to see clearly what it means. Then check the theorem; it could be false. Examine the consequences, verify as many particular instances as are needed to convince yourself of the truth. When you have satisfied yourself that the theorem is true, you can start proving it.” [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understand a theorem fully and test it before attempting proof; verification precedes formal proof. **In simple terms:** Study and test a theorem before proving it. Key Takeaway Verify before you prove. Themes mathematics logic methodology Mood analytical inquisitive Type educational methodological When to use this quote - classroom teaching - research - self‑study - exam preparation Key Concepts problem solving critical thinking proof strategy Questions to Reflect On - What examples show verification saved a proof? - How can you balance speed and thoroughness? A Different Perspective Rushing can lead to false proofs or missed insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checks/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Convince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convince/) [Examination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/examination/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Proving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proving/) [Satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfied/) [Start Proving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-proving-2573157/) [Theorem False](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theorem-false-2573158/) [Theorem Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theorem-rush-2573159/) [Theorem Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theorem-says-1397437/) [Theorems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theorems/) [True you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-you/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Verify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verify/) ## Related quotes > [The paraphrase of Gödel's Theorem says that for any record player, there are records which it cannot play because they will cause its indirect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-paraphrase-of-g-del-s-theorem-says-that-for-any-record-player/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“theorem says that P( cause \| effect) = P( cause) × P( effect \| cause) / P( effect). Replace cause by A and effect by B and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-domingos/theorem-says-that-p-cause-effect-p-cause-p-effect-cause-p-effect/) [Pedro Domingos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-domingos/) > [In all kinds of sports, you have to get the confidence going within before you can start proving people wrong or right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ab-de-villiers/in-all-kinds-of-sports-you-have-to-get-the-confidence-going-within/) [AB de Villiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ab-de-villiers/) > [The moment you feel you have to start proving your worth is the moment you should walk away and never look back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-moment-you-feel-you-have-to-start-proving-your-worth-is-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the "commentatio" (note presented to the Russian Academy) in which his theorem on polyhedra (on the number of faces, edges and vertices) was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/in-the-commentatio-note-presented-to-the-russian-academy-in-which-his/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [It's true you have to screen out a lot living in the city. 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Mathematics is in between.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/i-am-too-good-for-philosophy-and-not-good-enough-for-physics/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [Solving problems is a practical art, like swimming, or skiing, or playing the piano: you can learn it only by imitation and practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/solving-problems-is-a-practical-art-like-swimming-or-skiing-or/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [An idea which can be used only once is a trick. If one can use it more than once it becomes a method.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/an-idea-which-can-be-used-only-once-is-a-trick-if-one-can-use-it-more/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [To teach effectively a teacher must develop a feeling for his subject; he cannot make his students sense its vitality if he does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/to-teach-effectively-a-teacher-must-develop-a-feeling-for-his-subject/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [The world is anxious to admire that apex and culmination of modern mathematics: a theorem so perfectly general that no particular application of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-polya/the-world-is-anxious-to-admire-that-apex-and-culmination-of-modern/) [George Polya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-polya/) > [The first rule of discovery is to have brains and good luck. 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