Constructing a non-standard model

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a non-standard model of arithmetic that includes the natural numbers and an additional element, denoted as 'a'. Participants explore how to define operations and relations in this model while adhering to certain axioms of number theory, specifically Mendelson's axioms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a non-standard model with specific definitions for operations and relations, aiming to satisfy Mendelson's axioms.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the proposed definitions, specifically pointing out that they violate the requirement that 0 is not a successor of any element.
  • A later reply suggests amendments to the definitions, including adjustments to the successor function and the ordering relation.
  • Some participants argue that the inclusion of 'a < a' contradicts established axioms of number theory, leading to a challenge to prove the statement \forall x, \neg (x
  • Further critiques highlight several shortcomings in the proposed definitions, including the need for clearer specifications of addition, multiplication, and the ordering of 'a' relative to natural numbers.
  • One participant acknowledges the critiques and attempts to revise the definitions, but further feedback indicates that additional specifications are still needed for operations involving 'a'.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of constructing the proposed non-standard model, with some agreeing on the need for revisions while others maintain that certain foundational contradictions exist. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity of the proposed definitions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the axiomatization being referenced may not align with traditional interpretations of number theory, leading to confusion about the implications of certain axioms. There are also unresolved issues regarding the definitions of operations when involving the element 'a'.

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I am trying to construct a non-standard model < A,0,S,+,*,E,< > that has as its domain the natural numbers plus the letter a such that the model
1. Makes all of the axioms of number theory true (Say, Mendelson's S)
2. Makes a < a.
So in this model the domain has already been specified. We take < to be just like < in the standard model except that we add the couple <a,a> to it. We take 0 to be the same as in the standard model. We take S to be just like S in the standard model with the addition that that S(a)=a. We take + to be just like the standard model except that
a + a = a
0 + a = a
for n > 0, a + n = n
We take E to be the same as in the standard model with the addition that aE0 = S(0).
Does that do the trick? I can't see where I've made any of Mendelson's axioms false.
 
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I'm not familiar with Mendelson's axioms of number theory, but from googling I think I found the list. If so, then your definitions fail the requirement that 0 is not a successor of any element
 
Office_Shredder said:
I'm not familiar with Mendelson's axioms of number theory, but from googling I think I found the list. If so, then your definitions fail the requirement that 0 is not a successor of any element

Right. So let me amend.
The function S is just like that of standard number theory except that
S(a) = a
[itex]\neg[/itex]S(0) = a

The relation < is just like that of standard number theory except that
a < a
0 < a
for any n > 0, S[itex]\cdots_{}[/itex]S(0) < a where S[itex]\cdots_{}[/itex]S are n occurrences of S.

Perhaps this will fare better.
 
Either I've completely misunderstood what you are trying to do, or what you are trying to do is obviously impossible. The statement [itex]\forall x, \neg (x<x)[/itex] is provable from the axioms of number theory, and obviously would not be satisfied by a structure in which a<a.
 
Citan Uzuki said:
Either I've completely misunderstood what you are trying to do, or what you are trying to do is obviously impossible. The statement [itex]\forall x, \neg (x<x)[/itex] is provable from the axioms of number theory, and obviously would not be satisfied by a structure in which a<a.

I would challenge you to prove [itex]\forall x, \neg (x<x)[/itex] from the axioms of number theory.
 
AKG said:

Ah, my bad. So the axiomatization I am using is the system N from Chris Leary's book A Friendly Introduction to Mathematical Logic and he produces a proof that the formula does not follow from those axioms. I got a little over-zealous there. Sorry
 
Okay, I've looked up the axiomatization you're working with. You're right, this one doesn't prove [itex]\forall x, \neg (x<x)[/itex]. However, your attempt at defining a nonstandard model possesses several shortcomings:

1: You have not specified n+a for n≠0 or a
2: You have not specified multiplication at all
3: You have not specified AEn for any n other than zero, nor have you specified nEa
4: You have not defined whether a<n or n<a for [itex]n\in\mathbb{N}[/itex] Perhaps you meant for a to satisfy neither of these relations, but if so, that is in contradiction to axiom 11.
5: Your definitions are inconsistent with axioms 3 and 4. Specifically you have for n>0, a+n = n. In particular, this would require that a+S0=S0. But axioms 3 and 4, together with your choice of Sa=a, require that a+S0=S(a+0)=Sa=a≠S0.

So I'm afraid your model will need some work. You have the right idea putting Sa=a -- in fact with only one additional element, you really have no choice but to do that. In fact, adding exactly one new element leaves you with very little choice in how to extend your model. For instance, you must set a+x=x+a=a (which means that to show the commutativity of addition doesn't follow from N, you'll need more than one new element). Similarly, you must set a·0=0 and x·a=a·x=a for x≠0. You do however have the choice of setting 0·a to either a or 0. I'll leave you to figure out how many ways you can extend exponentiation. Finally, when you get to the ordering, the only ordering that will extend the ordering on [itex]\mathbb{N}[/itex] and still get you a<a is to let x<a for all x.
 
Citan Uzuki said:
Okay, I've looked up the axiomatization you're working with. You're right, this one doesn't prove [itex]\forall x, \neg (x<x)[/itex]. However, your attempt at defining a nonstandard model possesses several shortcomings:

That sir, was excellent criticism. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that. Let me try again.

Successor is just like the standard successor except that
S(a) = a
¬S(0) = a
a + a = a

Multiplication is just like standard multiplication except that
a [itex]\cdot[/itex] 0 = 0
for any n > 0, a [itex]\cdot[/itex] n = a
a [itex]\cdot[/itex] a = a

Exponentiation is just like standard exponentiation except that
aEa = a
aE0 = S(0)
for any n > 0, nEa = a

The relation < is just like that of standard number theory except that
a < a
0 < a
for any n > 0, S⋯S(0) < a where S⋯S are n occurrences of S.

I hope I have repaired the shortcomings.
 
  • #10
Closer, but you need to specify +, *, and E when either side is a, not just when the left side is a.
 

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