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\(\newcommand{\identity}{\mathrm{id}} \newcommand{\notdivide}{\nmid} \newcommand{\notsubset}{\not\subset} \newcommand{\lcm}{\operatorname{lcm}} \newcommand{\gf}{\operatorname{GF}} \newcommand{\inn}{\operatorname{Inn}} \newcommand{\aut}{\operatorname{Aut}} \newcommand{\Hom}{\operatorname{Hom}} \newcommand{\cis}{\operatorname{cis}} \newcommand{\chr}{\operatorname{char}} \newcommand{\Null}{\operatorname{Null}} \newcommand{\transpose}{\text{t}} \newcommand{\lt}{<} \newcommand{\gt}{>} \newcommand{\amp}{&} \setcounter{chapter}{-1}\)

Subsection2.1Purpose and Learning Goals

In your proof portfolio you'll be asked to discover, write, and revise over time a small set of proofs spanning the content of the course. The ultimate goal is to produce proofs that not only contain correct and complete mathematical arguments, but also communicate those arguments carefully and in an audience-appropriate fashion, following style and formatting conventions of mathematical writing. In short: the goal is to produce proofs and writing that would be suitable for publication in an academic journal.

You'll submit your proof portfolio for feedback several times throughout the semester before its final copy will be collected. Sometimes that feedback will be from your classmates; other times it will be from your instructor. Approximately one proof per chapter will be added to the portfolio assignment as the semester progresses, for a total of 8-12 proofs in all.

Your syllabus outlines how your proof portfolio will be assessed on the whole. Each individual proof will be assessed according to the specifications shown below. For more information on the style and formatting conventions and getting started with mathematical typesetting, see the video playlist below.