Undecidability of $F[u, u^{-1}]$ in the Language $\{+, \cdot, 0, 1, u\}$

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mathmari
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the undecidability of the existential theory of the ring $F[u, u^{-1}]$ in the language $\{+, \cdot, 0, 1, u\}$. It establishes that if the characteristic of the field $F$ is zero or greater than 2, the existential theory remains undecidable. The conversation also explores the reduction of undecidability from the language $\{+, \cdot, 0, 1, u\}$ to $\{+, \cdot, 0, 1, (u+u^{-1})/2\}$, confirming the correctness of the proposed mapping and equations involved in the proof of Theorem 3.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ring theory, specifically $F[u, u^{-1}]$
  • Familiarity with existential theories in mathematical logic
  • Knowledge of polynomial equations and their characteristics
  • Basic concepts of field theory, particularly characteristics of fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Theorem 1 and its proof in the context of undecidability
  • Examine the role of Lemma 1 in the proof of Theorem 3
  • Research the characteristics of fields and their impact on polynomial equations
  • Learn about reductions in mathematical logic and their applications in undecidability proofs
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, logicians, and researchers interested in algebraic structures, particularly those studying undecidability in existential theories and polynomial rings.

mathmari
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
4,984
Reaction score
7
Hey! :o

$F[u, u^{-1}]$ is a ring that contains the polynomials in $u$ and $u^{-1}$ with coefficients in the field $F$.

Some theorems are the following:

Theorem 1.

Assume that the characteristic of $F$ is zero. Then the existential theory of $F[t, t^{-1}]$ in the language $\{+, \cdot , 0, 1, t\}$ is unecidable. Theorem 2.

Assume that $F$ has characteristic $p>2$. Then the existential theory of $F[t, t^{-1}]$ is undecidable. Theorem 3.

If the characteristic of $F$ is other than $2$, then $F[t]$ has undecidable positive existential theory in the language $\{+, \cdot , 0, 1, t\}$.
To clarify something...

An existential statement of $F[u, u^{-1}]$ in the language $\{+, \cdot , 0, 1, u\}$ is of the form
$$\exists x_1, \dots \exists x_n \in F[u,u'] \phi(x_1, \dots , x_n)$$
where $\phi(x_1, \dots , x_n)$ can consist of $0$, $1$ and $u$ and has the operation $+$ and $\cdot$ between $0$, $1$, and $u$.

Is this correct?
I have a question that is related to the proof of Theorem $3$: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7LyulQBh6efQThrT3p3Y2lQNkE/view .

When we know that the existential theory of $F[u, u^{-1}]$ is undecidable in the language $\{+, \cdot , 0, 1, u\}$ and we want to show that the existential theory of $F[u, u^{-1}]$ is undecidable also in the language $\{+, \cdot , 0, 1, (u+u^{-1})/2\}$, we have to reduce the second problem to the first one, right?

Is the reduction as followed:

We have set $u=t+\sqrt{t^2-1}$ and $u^{-1}=t-\sqrt{t^2-1}$.

The mapping of the reduction is $u \mapsto u-t =:v$.

We write all the equations in the form $fv=g$ where $f,g \in F[t]$ and when we square these equations we get $f^2v^2=g^2 \Rightarrow f^2(t^2-1)=g^2$, so all the equations are in $F[t]$, where $t=(u+u^{-1})/2$.

Is this correct?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Technology news on Phys.org
Could you clarify to me at which point of the proof of Theorem $3$ we use Lemma $1$ ? Where does this Lemma help us?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
975
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
504
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
2K