In maths “trivial” is usually when the author has a statement they could prove, but chose not to (either because is too obvious, stems from a result in another text, or is a lenghty proof)
In physics and other sciences “trivial” also refers to solutions that are technically correct but uninteresting (like x=0 for many equations) or cases where the result is so straightforwad that it doesn’t need explanation to experts in the feild.
In physics, two terms that I often seem to notice together are “trivial” and “local”. Local is easy to define clearly: within the speed of light/causality. Trivial seems like a vaguer term.
Then it sounds like the term “trivial” is subjective, which feels kinda icky in math. Worse, it sounds as if the “dear reader” is supposed to figure out what the author or lecturer means by “trivial” in each case; sure, there is context involved, but still… icky.
In maths “trivial” is usually when the author has a statement they could prove, but chose not to (either because is too obvious, stems from a result in another text, or is a lenghty proof)
In physics and other sciences “trivial” also refers to solutions that are technically correct but uninteresting (like x=0 for many equations) or cases where the result is so straightforwad that it doesn’t need explanation to experts in the feild.
In physics, two terms that I often seem to notice together are “trivial” and “local”. Local is easy to define clearly: within the speed of light/causality. Trivial seems like a vaguer term.
Then it sounds like the term “trivial” is subjective, which feels kinda icky in math. Worse, it sounds as if the “dear reader” is supposed to figure out what the author or lecturer means by “trivial” in each case; sure, there is context involved, but still… icky.
Indeed it is, back in the university there was a kind of meme among students
Whenever you had any bullshit argument you pulled out of your ass you could say: “this is trivial and the proof is left to the reader”
On a more serious note, it was one of the main points of attriction betwee professors and students