Tõestamine

Tõestamine is a noun in Estonian that translates to proof, verification, or attestation, depending on the context. It derives from the verb tõestama, meaning to prove or to attest, and is related to tõde, meaning truth, and tõendus, meaning evidence.

In mathematics and logic, tõestamine refers to the formal process of demonstrating the truth of a theorem or proposition through a sequence of logical deductions from axioms and previously established results. A proof is expected to be rigorous and universally acceptable within the given formal system; it is deductive rather than empirical.

In legal and administrative contexts, tõestamine denotes attestation, certification, or the presentation of evidence. It can refer to proving the validity of a statement, a document, or a contract, and may involve sworn statements, notarization, or other forms of authentication. The term is closely connected to tõendus (evidence) and tõendamine (providing evidence).

In information technology and digital security, tõestamine is used for authentication—verifying a user’s identity or the integrity of data. This includes methods such as credentials, tokens, biometrics, digital certificates, and certificate-based authentication used in secure communications and online services.

Usage varies with field: everyday language may use tõestamine to mean merely demonstrating a claim with evidence or reasoning, while scientific and mathematical contexts emphasize rigorous argumentation. The term thus covers a range from logical proof to practical verification and attestation.