Struggling with Set Theory Proofs? Any Tips?

[Gooolati]

Hello All,
I am taking a Discrete math course and am having trouble with set theory proofs. I can do basic ones,
like prove
<a,b,c>=<u,v,w> if a=u, b=v, and c=w. But as soon as it changes even a little bit, I cannot prove it. I was wondering what tips some of you might suggest to me? I do enjoy this course and want to get better at it. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[micromass]

Can you give some examples of things you can't prove??

 

[YesIam]

Okay, some background on proofs...In about 1960 I read an article in, SCIENTIC AMERICAN and the issue's feature article was, "It can't be prooven that 2 + 2 = 4, but it can be proven that it probably doesn't." On the cover of this issue was some math emblems. This bothered me for years, because I couldn't understand it. Then just a few years I awoke in the middle of the night and had one of those 'night-time' epiphanies and the theory was somewhat clear, maybe not so much, just enough to see a little light. Is anyone familiar with this 'proof', and more directly can anyone help me acquire a copy of this article or the magazine isssue itself. I have contacted SCEINTIFIC AMERICAN but I have been told that I have to have the issue number itself for any help from them. As I remember it was a very enlighting article and I would like to get this more clear at least in my mind.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Okay, some background on proofs...In about 1960 I read an article in, SCIENTIC AMERICAN and the issue's feature article was, "It can't be prooven that 2 + 2 = 4, but it can be proven that it probably doesn't." On the cover of this issue was some math emblems. This bothered me for years, because I couldn't understand it. Then just a few years I awoke in the middle of the night and had one of those 'night-time' epiphanies and the theory was somewhat clear, maybe not so much, just enough to see a little light. Is anyone familiar with this 'proof', and more directly can anyone help me acquire a copy of this article or the magazine isssue itself. I have contacted SCEINTIFIC AMERICAN but I have been told that I have to have the issue number itself for any help from them. As I remember it was a very enlighting article and I would like to get this more clear at least in my mind.

I don't imagine you see it here?
http://west-penwith.org.uk/misc/sciam2.htm

Or here?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bustbright/sets/72157618389555836/

 

[YesIam]

Thank you very much - but unfortunately I couldn't find it in either link. But hey, it is promising that some people have saved such things,

 

[CRGreathouse]

In that case your best bet is probably to find a local university library that carries Scientific American and browse through their collection. 120 issues (if it was in the 1960s) isn't that many, right?

I wasn't able to find anything with a search; if I knew the exact wording I might have better luck, but lacking that I suspect you won't do better than browsing.

 

[YesIam]

Hey CR, that's a good idea, thanks a lot...I will do just that.