What are trivial proofs?

A trivial proof is when something is so simple that it doesn’t even need much explaining, like showing a friend you can count to 10 before breakfast.

Imagine you have just one cookie, and your little brother has none. If you want to prove you have more cookies than him, all you do is say: “I have a cookie, he doesn’t.” That’s a trivial proof, it's so easy, even a toddler can see it.

Sometimes, in math or logic, people use trivial proofs to show that something is true without having to go through a long, complicated process. It’s like saying “I know how to tie my shoes, I’ve done it every morning!” You don’t need to write down all the steps; you just know it works.

So, next time you see someone use a trivial proof, think of that one cookie, simple, clear, and perfectly good for showing something is true.