Question on mathematical writing

Question

I am now writing my graduate thesis, it includes some basics mathematical theorems/propositions.

I got a trouble in writing, more concretely, I do not know when can I state a mathematical claim as a theorem/proposition.

So what is the difference between a proposition and a theorem? When can I state a mathematical claim as a theorem and as a proposition?

I beg your pardon for my stupid question. Please help me. Thanks

Answer 1

A wiki article summarizing the difference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theorem#Terminology

Answer 2

Choosing which results should be labeled theorem and which results should be labeled proposition or lemma is probably part of the work you need to do when writing your thesis.

I suggest you reserve theorem for the really important results that you want to highlight, even if you don't prove them in the text.