infinite descent

noun

A method of proof by contradiction that is used to prove that a statement must be false for all positive integers. By showing that if it is true for one integer, it must be true for a smaller integer, an infinite number of solutions are found and a contradiction is eventually reached.

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Meanings

nouninfinite descent (uncountable)
  1. uncountablemathematicsA method of proof by contradiction that is used to prove that a statement must be false for all positive integers. By showing that if it is true for one integer, it must be true for a smaller integer, an infinite number of solutions are found and a contradiction is eventually reached.

Translations

Finnish äärettömän laskeutumisen menetelmä
  • äärettömän laskeutumisen menetelmäTranslations
French méthode de descente infinie
  • méthode de descente infinieTranslations
German unendlicher Abstieg
  • unendlicher AbstiegTranslations
Polish metoda nieskończonego schodzenia
  • metoda nieskończonego schodzeniaTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

infinite descent. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infinite%20descent

MLA

“infinite descent.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infinite%20descent. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “infinite descent,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infinite%20descent.

Source: infinite descent on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.