A Study in Automated Reasoning about Abstract Algebra:
Control Strategies for Supported Deductions
Nikhil Swamy, May 2000
This work was submitted to the Departments of Cognitive Science and Mathematics
at Hampshire College in May, 2000 towards the fulfillment of degree requirements.
The first two chapters below are presented as a tutorial of sorts in the
basic principles of first order logic and the techniques of deductive automated
theorem proving. The third and fourth chapters constitute the main original
work of this study and may be read independently by the adept. The final
chapter contains my perspectives on the field, progress made thus far and
possible future avenues of research.
Chapter 1: Brief introduction to first order
logic
Chapter 2: Overview of some techniques in automated
theorem proving
Chapter 3: New control strategies for
supported proofs
Chapter 4: Searching for deep proofs and the
use of term rewriting
Chapter 5: Perspectives and conclusion
Bibliography