A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems

The field of artificial intelligence represents a frontier and a focal point of contemporary technological development. As an important embodiment of artificial intelligence applied to theoretical-level research, mechanical proving has been a subject of significant interest among researchers. The pa...

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Main Authors: Si Chen, Wensheng Yu, Guowei Dou, Qimeng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10930874/
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author Si Chen
Wensheng Yu
Guowei Dou
Qimeng Zhang
author_facet Si Chen
Wensheng Yu
Guowei Dou
Qimeng Zhang
author_sort Si Chen
collection DOAJ
description The field of artificial intelligence represents a frontier and a focal point of contemporary technological development. As an important embodiment of artificial intelligence applied to theoretical-level research, mechanical proving has been a subject of significant interest among researchers. The past few centuries have witnessed multiple periods of machine proof of mathematical theorems as computer technology has continued to evolve. From the initial proposal of “mechanization of human mental labor” being proposed to the present, the idea of “mechanization of mathematics” has been gradually being realized. Along with various formalization tools being developed, mechanical proving have ushered in a new era nowadays. This paper introduces and summarizes the history of mathematical formalization, the main formalization tools and the main theoretical achievements in different stages and fields. This paper also provides an overview of our group’s work in the formalization of a series of mathematical theorems using Coq, including Morse-Kelley axiomatic set theory and the foundations of analysis among others. Despite the considerable promise of formal tools in bolstering system reliability and mathematical rigorousness, it continues to encounter obstacles in practical applications. Although the formal tool holds considerable prospects in enhancing system reliability and mathematical rigorousness, it still meets with barriers in practical application. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the current challenges associated with mechanical proving, as well as offers suggestions for future research directions.
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spelling doaj-art-2e9e35d79f404c51b5a458f82d7bcfb92025-08-20T03:42:15ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113506725068610.1109/ACCESS.2025.355263410930874A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical TheoremsSi Chen0Wensheng Yu1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3832-2748Guowei Dou2Qimeng Zhang3Beijing Key Laboratory of Space-Ground Interconnection and Convergence, School of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Space-Ground Interconnection and Convergence, School of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Space-Ground Interconnection and Convergence, School of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Space-Ground Interconnection and Convergence, School of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, ChinaThe field of artificial intelligence represents a frontier and a focal point of contemporary technological development. As an important embodiment of artificial intelligence applied to theoretical-level research, mechanical proving has been a subject of significant interest among researchers. The past few centuries have witnessed multiple periods of machine proof of mathematical theorems as computer technology has continued to evolve. From the initial proposal of “mechanization of human mental labor” being proposed to the present, the idea of “mechanization of mathematics” has been gradually being realized. Along with various formalization tools being developed, mechanical proving have ushered in a new era nowadays. This paper introduces and summarizes the history of mathematical formalization, the main formalization tools and the main theoretical achievements in different stages and fields. This paper also provides an overview of our group’s work in the formalization of a series of mathematical theorems using Coq, including Morse-Kelley axiomatic set theory and the foundations of analysis among others. Despite the considerable promise of formal tools in bolstering system reliability and mathematical rigorousness, it continues to encounter obstacles in practical applications. Although the formal tool holds considerable prospects in enhancing system reliability and mathematical rigorousness, it still meets with barriers in practical application. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the current challenges associated with mechanical proving, as well as offers suggestions for future research directions.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10930874/Artificial intelligenceCoqformalizationmechanical provingMorse-Kelley axiomatic set theorytheorem provers
spellingShingle Si Chen
Wensheng Yu
Guowei Dou
Qimeng Zhang
A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
IEEE Access
Artificial intelligence
Coq
formalization
mechanical proving
Morse-Kelley axiomatic set theory
theorem provers
title A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
title_full A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
title_fullStr A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
title_full_unstemmed A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
title_short A Review on Mechanical Proving and Formalization of Mathematical Theorems
title_sort review on mechanical proving and formalization of mathematical theorems
topic Artificial intelligence
Coq
formalization
mechanical proving
Morse-Kelley axiomatic set theory
theorem provers
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10930874/
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