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demostrar por la teoría del absurdo

English translation: [use] proof by contradiction

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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Spanish term or phrase:	demostrar por la teoría del absurdo
English translation:	[use] proof by contradiction
Entered by:	LedaB

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22:59 Sep 27, 2010

Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Science - Mathematics & Statistics / expression

Spanish term or phrase: demostrar por la teoría del absurdo

This expression is used a lot in Maths, but also in other fields when you want to take reasoning beyond logics with the purpose of making the listener think of all variables possible

LedaB KudoZ activity Questions: 8 (1 open) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 80
Local time: 05:18

[use] proof by contradiction

Explanation:
In a mathematical context this would be the corresponding English term, that is, when the concept of reductio ad absurdum is applied specifically in mathematical proof rather than used, for example, in law.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_contradiction

"Proof by contradiction is also known as indirect proof, apagogical argument, reductio ad impossibile. It is a particular kind of the more general form of argument known as reductio ad absurdum."

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Note added at 9 hrs (2010-09-28 08:08:55 GMT)
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Also:

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reducción_al_absurdo

"Reducción al absurdo (del latín Reductio ad absurdum) es un método de demostración [...] Este método es también conocido como prueba por contradicción..."

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Note added at 1 day13 hrs (2010-09-29 12:01:32 GMT)
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In response to the asker's note: yes, this term would only be valid if you were talking about maths. I just assumed you were because you posted this under 'Mathematics & Statistics' :)

Selected response from:

Russell Keeley
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:18

Grading comment

I think this one fits the best! Thanks a lot!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +3

use reductio ad absurdum

Gene Selkov

[use] proof by contradiction

Russell Keeley

proof by absurdity

Amanda Bennett

demonstrate by the theory of the absurd

Leonardo Lamarche

demonstrate through lateral thinking

xxxmediamatrix

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

4 mins confidence:

demonstrate by the theory of the absurd

Explanation:
Ver ref.
http://www.oppapers.com/essays/How-Does-Camus-Present-His-Th...

Leonardo Lamarche
Venezuela
Local time: 03:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: Spanish

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, Leonardo!

10 mins confidence:

proof by absurdity

Explanation:
an option

Reference: http://whyslopes.com/volume1a/postscriptI_Proof_by_Absurdity...

Amanda Bennett
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks so much, Amanda!

23 mins confidence:

demonstrate through lateral thinking

Explanation:
If nothing else, I hope this answer from a self-confessed 'lateral thinker' will incite the asker to provide meaningful context, so we can move from the absurd to the meaningful.

THE REVOLUTIONARY IMPLICATIONS OF EDWARD DE BONO'S LATERAL ... - [ Traducir esta página ]
De Bono christened the escape process "lateral thinking" in his book The Use of ... he played with the apparently absurd notion "You die before you die". ...
www.edwdebono.com/debono/berry.htm - En caché - SimilaresProblem Solving - [ Traducir esta página ]
Problem Solving including Lateral Thinking and Retograde Chess Problems. ... Below is Edward De Bono's useful five-step process for problem-solving. ... normally discount as possibilities - often because the possibility seems absurd. ...
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk › Articles - En caché - SimilaresLateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity: Amazon.co.uk: Edward ... - [ Traducir esta página ]
De Bono's Thinking Course: Powerful Tools to Transform Your Thinking .... as a good sense of the absurd and a willingness to appear a complete as can spark ... Edward De Bono believes that "Lateral thinking" can be learnt...and gives us ...
www.amazon.co.uk › ... › Psychology & Psychiatry - En caché - SimilaresEDWARD DE BONO PERSONAL WEBSITE :: WELCOME - [ Traducir esta página ]
This site is a portal to Edward de Bono Websites and provides information on his work. ... A glossary of key de Bono concepts including Lateral Thinking, ...
www.edwarddebono.com/ - En caché - SimilaresEdward de Bono - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - [ Traducir esta página ]
Edward de Bono (born 19 May 1933, in Malta) is a physician, author, inventor, and consultant. He is known as the originator of the term lateral thinking, ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono - En caché - Similares

xxxmediamatrix
Local time: 04:18
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 30

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, Mediatrix. I´m very keen on lateral thinking

38 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

use reductio ad absurdum

Explanation:
This Latin expression is considered more fluent in mathematics than its English equivalents.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum

Gene Selkov
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Russian

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, Gene!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

disagree

Travelin Ann: but Asker requested English

11 mins

-> Yes, and it is more English than the English suggested by Leonardo and Amanda -- you will find it in all English dictionaries and everywhere (http://2.ly/c9zf); it has nothing to do with thinking outside the box; it is a very rigrorous method in logic.

agree

Eileen Banks

1 hr

-> Thank you Eileen; I already began wondering about the prevalence of lateral thinking in this forum.

agree

philgoddard

2 hrs

-> Thanks Phil!

agree

patyjs

2 hrs

-> Thank you!

agree

Sergio Campo

8 hrs

-> Hola Sergio! Gracias!

neutral

xxxmediamatrix: Your inability to think laterally seems to have caused you to overlook the fact that Asker has not stated that her text has anything to do with the science of mathematics or logic.

23 hrs

8 hrs confidence:

[use] proof by contradiction

Russell Keeley
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

I think this one fits the best! Thanks a lot!

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, Russell! I still have some doubts as regards its application in fields other than maths or law, e.g. language methodology

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English translation: [use] proof by contradiction

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English translation: [use] proof by contradiction

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