Skip to main content
Log in

Mechanical theorem proving in differential geometry

Local theory of surfaces

  • Published:
Science in China Series A: Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An automated reasoning method, based on Wu’s method and calculus of differential forms, is proposed for mechanical theorem proving in local theory of space surfaces in differential geometry. The method has been used to simplify one of Chem’s theorems: “The non-trivial families of isometric surfaces having the same principal curvatures are W-surfaces.” Some other theorems are also tested by this method. The proofs are generally simpler than those in differential geometry textbooks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wu Wentsun, On the mechanization of theorem proving in elementary and differential geometry,Scientia Sinica, Math.Supplement (I), 1979, 94.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chou, S. C., Gao, X. S., Mechanical theorem proving in differential geometry I. Space curves,MM Research Preprints, 1989, 4: 109.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Li Ziming, Mechanical theorem proving of the local theory of surfaces,MM Research Preprints, 1991, 6: 102.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chern, S. S., Deformation of surfaces preserving principal curvatures, inDifferential Geometry and Complex Analysis, Volume in Memory of H Ráuch, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1984, 155–163.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Project supported partially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, H. Mechanical theorem proving in differential geometry. Sci. China Ser. A-Math. 40, 350–356 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02911434

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02911434

Keywords

Navigation