Re: Problem with `big oh' estimates in number theory

From: Randy Poe (poespam-trap_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 02/09/05 

Date: 9 Feb 2005 10:35:48 -0800

Angus Rodgers wrote:

> Why should the reader be expected to jump through so many
> hoops, when: (1) it is not normal mathematical practice to
> require this (normally you state precisely the results you
> plan later to use, and throw away only your temporary,
> intermediate results and notations);

Actually, it *is* normal mathematical practice. More so
than any other subject, I find that reading math papers
or textbooks requires me to keep lots of scrap paper
on hand to scribble equations and short proofs. The
tendency in math is for terseness, to pack a lot of
content into a short space, and require a great deal
of hoop-jumping on the reader's part.

             - Randy