meaning of exercise left as an
1. exercise, left as an Used to complete a proof in technical books when one doesnt mind a handwave, or to avoid one entirely. The complete phrase is: "The proof [or "the rest"] is left as an exercise for the reader. " This comment *has* occasionally been attached to unsolved research problems by authors possessed of either an evil sense of humour or a vast faith in the capabilities of their audiences. [Jargon File]
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