A question on Transfinite Recursion Theorem schema....

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Transfinite Recursion Theorem schema as presented in Enderton's "Elements of Set Theory." Participants explore the implications of different forms of the theorem, particularly focusing on the relationships defined within the theorem and the conditions under which they hold. The conversation includes technical aspects of set theory and logical definitions, as well as specific examples from the text.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Mathelogician expresses confusion regarding specific parts of the theorem, particularly the implications of certain definitions and the proof structure.
  • Some participants clarify the definitions of terms such as $\mathop{\mathrm{seg}}t$ and the binary relation $\gamma(x,y)$, suggesting that the association of $y$ with $x$ is defined even when $x$ does not belong to a certain set.
  • There is a discussion about the uniqueness of the association $y$ for each $x$, with some participants questioning the logic behind this when $x$ is not in the defined set.
  • One participant provides a formal definition of the relation $\gamma(x,y)$ and discusses the implications of transfinite induction in proving certain aspects of the theorem.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of the domain of the relation and whether it can be considered a set or a class, with references to the axioms of replacement and their applicability.
  • There is a reiteration of the requirements for the brown version of the theorem, emphasizing the need for a formula $\gamma$ and the proof of the existence and uniqueness of $y$ for each $x$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and implications of the theorem, particularly regarding the association of elements and the nature of the domain of the relation. No consensus is reached on the interpretation of certain terms or the validity of proposed proofs.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of the axioms of set theory, particularly concerning classes and their properties. There is also an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in proving certain aspects of the theorem, with some steps remaining unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying set theory, particularly in the context of transfinite recursion and its applications. It may also benefit individuals exploring the foundational aspects of mathematical logic and definitions within set theory.

Mathelogician
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Hi everybody,
In Enderton's "elements of set theory", he first discusses the red and then after some explanations
he discusses the brown as the general form of transfinite recursion theorem schema.
Then in the blue example, he uses the general form(brown) to show that the first form(red)is a
special case of that.

Now i am confusing with the blue part!
Why does the green part hold?
And how can we prove the yellow part?Thanks,
Mathelogician
View attachment 295
 

Attachments

  • q1.png
    q1.png
    49 KB · Views: 187
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found it.

Do I understand right that $\mathop{\mathrm{seg}}t=\{x\in A\mid x<t\}$ and ${}<A=\{\mathop{\mathrm{seg}t}\mid t\in A\}$?

To start, I think the green part is pretty clear. Either $x\in {^{{}<A}B}$ or $x\notin {^{{}<A}B}$. In both cases one and only one y is associated with x.

I (or somebody else) will write about the yellow part later.
 
Thanks my friend, emakarov! Indeed Sudharaka made me conscious of that.

In both cases one and only one y is associated with x.
Why in both cases?!
For the first case i am sure, but not so about the 2nd one. May you explain more?
I mean, If x doesn't belong to that set, why should we have a y which is associated with x? What does even that mean?
 
Mathelogician said:
If x doesn't belong to that set, why should we have a y which is associated with x?
By definition. We define a binary relation on sets. Let P(x) denote $x\in {^{{}<A}B}$. If $\neg P(x)$ for some x, we posit that the relation holds for x and $\emptyset$ only, by definition. Formally

let $\gamma(x,y)$ be $(P(x)\land y=G(x))\lor (\neg P(x)\land y=\emptyset)$. (1)

Then pure logic (i.e., with no axioms of set theory) proves $\forall x\exists! y.\,\gamma(x,y)$. Here ∃! is the uniqueness quantifier. One way to write the latter formula explicitly is ∀x∃y∀z. γ(x, z) ↔ z = y.

Now about the yellow part. From (1), we have the following:

If P(x) and γ(x, y), then y = G(x). (2)

By the brown version of the transfinite recursion theorem there exists an F such that ∀t ∈ A. γ(F ↾ seg t, F(t)). The yellow part proves ∀t ∈ A. P(F ↾ seg t) and therefore, by (2), ∀t ∈ A. F(t) = G(F ↾ seg t), which is the conclusion of the red version of the theorem. The proof of ∀t ∈ A. P(F ↾ seg t) is by transfinite induction. Assuming I am right about the interpretation of seg t and <A in post #2, if t is the least element of A, then seg t is the empty set and F ↾ seg t is the empty function, so it belongs to $^{{}<A}B$.

To be finished later.
 
By definition. We define a binary relation on sets. Let P(x) denote [FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∈[FONT=MathJax_Main]<[FONT=MathJax_Math]A[FONT=MathJax_Math]B. If [FONT=MathJax_Main]¬[FONT=MathJax_Math]P[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]) for some x, we posit that the relation holds for x and [FONT=MathJax_Main]∅ only, by definition.
Sorry I'm acting so thick headed!
But then what would be the domain of that relation?!
I think it must be the class of all sets [which is not then a set].
But i think i found some way.I will use the axiom of replacement; Then my only question would be whether we can define a class H={(x,y): [FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∈V and [FONT=MathJax_Math]γ[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main],[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Main]) } in which V is the class of all sets.
[indeed I'm studying ZFC, so i am not familiar well to Classes and their properties]
If it IS a class, then since H is a class-function [i,e., a class which has the property of being function except of being a set], by the Replacement axioms, at last we will have: H is a set.(Indeed a relation).
Therefore, for every x, we would have [FONT=MathJax_Math]γ[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main],[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Main]).

And then we can conclude the others.
===================================
And i got all other your claims with no dark part.
 
The brown theorem does not require us to prove that $\{(x,y)\mid \gamma(x,y)\}$ is a set. It just requires to construct a formula $\gamma$.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
The brown theorem does not require us to prove that $\{(x,y)\mid \gamma(x,y)\}$ is a set. It just requires to construct a formula $\gamma$.

I just did it as one way to show that the hypothesis of the brown holds. What's wrong with that?
What is the other way to show that the hypothesis holds for brown?
And What about H's being a class? Is it?
Thanks.
 
Mathelogician said:
I just did it as one way to show that the hypothesis of the brown holds.
Could you say briefly again what "it" above is, which assumption of the brown theorem it fulfils and how it does so? Besides < being a well-ordering on A, I see two assumptions: having a formula $\gamma$ and proving $\forall x\exists! y\;\gamma(x,y)$.

Mathelogician said:
What is the other way to show that the hypothesis holds for brown?
To construct a formula $\gamma$ and to prove $\forall x\exists! y\;\gamma(x,y)$.

Mathelogician said:
And What about H's being a class? Is it?
Yes because the first components of pairs in H are all sets. However, this is irrelevant for the application of the transfinite recursion theorems.
 
Could you say briefly again what "it" above is, which assumption of the brown theorem it fulfills and how it does so? Besides < being a well-ordering on A, I see two assumptions: having a formula [FONT=MathJax_Math]γ and proving [FONT=MathJax_Main]∀[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∃[FONT=MathJax_Main]![FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Math]γ[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main],[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Main]).

My problem was proving the blue(and "it' refers to that).
I asked you
If [FONT=MathJax_Main]¬[FONT=MathJax_Math]P[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]), why should we have a y which is associated with x?
And you answered :

By definition. We define a binary relation on sets. Let P(x) denote [FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∈[FONT=MathJax_Main]<[FONT=MathJax_Math]A[FONT=MathJax_Math]B. If [FONT=MathJax_Main]¬[FONT=MathJax_Math]P[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]) for some x, we posit that the relation holds for x and [FONT=MathJax_Main]∅ only, by definition.

and i answered
But then what would be the domain of that relation?!
I think it must be the class of all sets [which is not then a set].

And it's true because we are associating a (single) y to every x (Not only those in [FONT=MathJax_Main]<[FONT=MathJax_Math]A[FONT=MathJax_Math]B.Which means that domain of the relation contains the class of all sets).
===============================
And after all, i suggested a way (Using the axioms of replacement) to have the same result (associating a single y to every x)

[[[[although i doubt it now! because it doesn't have all of assumptions of the Replacement axioms; and even if it does, i am not sure we can get what we want]]]]+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anyway, my question still holds.
What is the relation you are asserting?! Write it down here please.
 
  • #10
Mathelogician said:
I asked you
If ¬P(x), why should we have a y which is associated with x?
I found this question bizarre. The definition of gamma says that if ~P(x), then the associated y by definition is the empty set and only it. I think everybody understands what it means to create an association between two groups of objects, i.e., to pair each object from the first group with an object from the second group. If you have a problem with this concept, then you should ask questions in the Pre-algebra subforum, which is dedicated to functions, relations and similar notions. I was not sure what exactly your problem was, so in the beginning of post #4 I offered an informal explanation. I used the word "relation" informally. You can skip the beginning and start with the word "Formally."

Now, I think that the best way to clear a misunderstanding is to go formal and be as precise as possible.

Mathelogician said:
Anyway, my question still holds.
What is the relation you are asserting?! Write it down here please.
And my question also still holds: how does defining a relation help satisfy the premises of the transfinite recursion theorem? I don't see the theorem talking about any relation. It requires a formula $\gamma$ and a proof of $\forall x\exists!y\;\gamma(x,y)$. I wrote $\gamma$ explicitly in post #4, and proving $\forall x\exists!y\;\gamma(x,y)$ is trivial by purely logical reasoning.
 
  • #11
First of all, i have to say that i see no reason to get angry in this thread! It's just a discussion; and for the one who asks, must remain no dark part of the subject! [even if that part seem trivially light for the one who answers]===========================

And my question also still holds: how does defining a relation help satisfy the premises of the transfinite recursion theorem? I don't see the theorem talking about any relation. It requires a formula [FONT=MathJax_Math]γ and a proof of [FONT=MathJax_Main]∀[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∃[FONT=MathJax_Main]![FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Math]γ[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main],[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Main]). I wrote [FONT=MathJax_Math]γ explicitly in post #4, and proving [FONT=MathJax_Main]∀[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]∃[FONT=MathJax_Main]![FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Math]γ[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main],[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[FONT=MathJax_Main]) is trivial by purely logical reasoning.

I talked about a relation after you first talked (informally!) about a binary relation which assigns to every x the proper y.
Now that you ask me what is the necessity of using a relation to reach the answer, you yourself must answer it [formally this time!]

I will stay for the pure logical proof of the assertion.
 
  • #12
Mathelogician said:
Now that you ask me what is the necessity of using a relation to reach the answer, you yourself must answer it [formally this time!]
Evgeny.Makarov said:
The brown theorem does not require us to prove that $\{(x,y)\mid \gamma(x,y)\}$ is a set. It just requires to construct a formula $\gamma$.
Evgeny.Makarov said:
Besides < being a well-ordering on A, I see two assumptions: having a formula $\gamma$ and proving $\forall x\exists! y\;\gamma(x,y)$.
Evgeny.Makarov said:
However, this [i.e., considering whether {(x,y): x∈V and γ(x,y) } is a set or a class] is irrelevant for the application of the transfinite recursion theorems.
...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K