Meaning of symbol pushing | Babel Free

Definitions

The practice of solving mathematical problems by manipulating symbols (as in algebra) rather than through visual or intuitive understanding.

derogatory, uncountable

Examples

“The fact that we eventually reach⟳ a formulation free from logic (in terms of functional analysis) does not invalidate the use⟳ of logical tools: in fact the simplest way to prove⟳ termination (i.e. nilpotency) will always be standard logical manipulation, "symbol pushing"; but the existence of a model⟳ for this symbol pushing obviously brings in new methods, insights, etc.”

“Other mathematicians abhor visual proofs and only recognize 'symbol pushing'. Ideally, that would lead⟳ to a mathematics that would be fully independent of the human mind⟳, and be simply the (uninterpreted!) output of a Turing machine.”

“Now, before going any further, and to help⟳ convince⟳ you that this isn't all just "symbol pushing," let⟳ me show⟳ you an application of Fourier series that often occurs in mathematical physics.”

CEFR level