Tõestatav

Tõestatav is an Estonian adjective meaning capable of being proven or demonstrated. In mathematics and logic, it denotes a statement for which a proof exists within a given formal system. In everyday language and scientific discourse, it can describe claims or hypotheses that can be supported by evidence or logical argument. The term conveys a sense of provability rather than mere plausibility.

The word derives from the verb tõestama (to prove) and the noun tõde (truth), with the suffix -atav indicating capability. The nuance between tõestatav and tõendatav is subtle: tõestatav emphasizes the existence of a proof, while tõendatav stresses available evidence or verifiability.

In mathematics, people speak of tõestatav väide or tõestatav teoreem, referring to propositions with formal proofs. In philosophy and computer science, it can describe statements that are provable within a theory or formal system. In law and science more generally, tõestatav may imply substantiation by data, experiments, or legal argument, though standards vary.

Related terms include tõend (evidence), tõendama (to prove, to attest), and tõendatavus (verifiability). The concept is tied to questions about what can be known within a system and acknowledges that provability can depend on axioms and rules adopted.