provas

Provas are the plural form of prova in Portuguese and can refer to different kinds of evidence, verification, or assessment depending on the context. In everyday language it most commonly denotes examinations in educational settings, but it also covers mathematical demonstrations, and, in legal and scientific contexts, material that is used to establish a fact or claim.

In education, provas are tests or exams used to evaluate a student’s knowledge or skills. They can be written, oral, or practical assessments, and are used at schools, colleges, and universities. The format and weighting vary by jurisdiction and institution, but the aim is to measure attainment and provide feedback or qualification.

In mathematics and logic, a prova is a formal demonstration that a theorem or proposition is true. Provas follow accepted methods and rules of inference; common techniques include prova por indução, prova por contradição, and prova por construção. A well-constructed prova provides a logically convincing chain of reasoning from hypotheses to conclusion.

In law and forensic contexts, provas (evidence) are material used to establish facts in a dispute or criminal case. They can be document-based, testemunhos, or expert analyses. The admissibility and weight of provas are governed by procedural rules, and the standard of proof varies by system (for example, beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases).

Another usage occurs in science and technology, where a prova de conceito or proof of concept demonstrates that an idea or method can work in principle. In everyday language, the word may also refer to any item or document used to support a claim, argument, or decision.