Illustration Beyond Proof

Terry Tao, a mathematician, writes about the concept of 'illustration beyond proof' in mathematics, where a mathematical statement is accompanied by a visual representation or illustration that enhances understanding, but is not a rigorous proof. He discusses the importance of illustrations in mathematics, citing examples from his own work and the work of others, such as Andrew Wiles's proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. Tao notes that illustrations can be used to provide intuition, highlight key properties, and make complex concepts more accessible to a wider audience.