Related papers: Definability and almost disjoint families

We prove that the generic maximal independent family obtained by iteratively forcing with the Mathias forcing relative to diagonalization filters is densely maximal. Moreover, by choosing the filters with some care one can ensure the family…

Let $m(n)$ denote the maximum size of a family of subsets which does not contain two disjoint sets along with their union. In 1968 Kleitman proved that $m(n) = {n\choose m+1}+\ldots +{n\choose 2m+1}$ if $n=3m+1$. Confirming the conjecture…

A family $\mathcal{F}$ of $k$-subsets of an $n$-set is called $s$-almost $t$-intersecting if each member is $t$-disjoint with at most $s$ members. In this paper, we prove that, if $\left|\mathcal{F}\right|$ is maximum, then $\mathcal{F}$…

We show that Martin's Maximum${}^{++}$ implies Woodin's ${\mathbb P}_{\rm max}$ axiom $(*)$. This answers a question from the 1990's and amalgamates two prominent axioms of set theory which were both known to imply that there are $\aleph_2$…

Using Shelah's revised GCH theorem we prove that if mu<beth_omega <= lambda are cardinals, then every mu-almost disjoint subfamily B of [lambda]^{beth_omega} is essentially disjoint, i.e. for each b from B there is a subset f(b) of b of…

We continue the project of the study of reverse mathematics principles inspired by cardinal invariants. In this article in particular we focus on principles encapsulating the existence of large families of objects that are in some sense…

We prove that every MAD family can be destroyed by a proper forcing that preserves $P$-points. With this result, we prove that it is consistent that $\omega_{1}=\mathfrak{u}<\mathfrak{a,}$ solving a nearly 20 year old problem of Shelah and…

The second author has recently shown ([20]) that any selectively (a) almost disjoint family must have cardinality strictly less than $2^{\alpeh_0}$, so under the Continuum Hypothesis such a family is necessarily countable. However, it is…

Given an uncountable cardinal $\kappa$, we consider the question of whether subsets of the power set of $\kappa$ that are usually constructed with the help of the Axiom of Choice are definable by $\Sigma_1$-formulas that only use the…

We consider maximal almost disjoint families of block subspaces of countable vector spaces, focusing on questions of their size and definability. We prove that the minimum infinite cardinality of such a family cannot be decided in ZFC and…

A classic theorem in combinatorial design theory is Fisher's inequality, which states that a family $\mathcal F$ of subsets of $[n]$ with all pairwise intersections of size $\lambda$ can have at most $n$ non-empty sets. One may weaken the…

Using the mixed Lie algebras of Lazard, we extend the results of the first author on mild groups to the case p=2. In particular, we show that for any finite set S_0 of odd rational primes we can find a finite set S of odd rational primes…

We study families of subsets of $\omega$ which are independent with respect to the asymptotic density $\mathsf{d}$. We show, for instance, that there exists a maximal $\mathsf{d}$-independent family $\mathcal{A}$ such that…

We prove the consistency of ZF+DC+"there are no mad families"+"there exists a non-meager filter on $\omega$" relative to ZFC, answering a question of Neeman and Norwood. We also introduce a weaker version of madness, and we strengthen the…

We provide answers to a question brought up by Erd\H{o}s about the construction of Wetzel families in the absence of the continuum hypothesis - a Wetzel family is a family $\mathcal{F}$ of entire functions on the complex plane which…

Call a subset of $\mathbf{FIN}_k$ small if it does not contain a copy of $\langle{A\rangle}$ for some infinite block sequence $A \in \mathbf{FIN}_k^{[\infty]}$. Gowers' $\mathbf{FIN}_k$ theorem asserts that the set of small subsets of…

We study maximal independent families (m.i.f.) in the projective hierarchy. We show that (a) the existence of a $\boldsymbol{\Sigma}^1_2$ m.i.f. is equivalent to the existence of a $\boldsymbol{\Pi}^1_1$ m.i.f., (b) in the Cohen model,…

We show Shelah's original creature forcing from 1984 strongly preserves tight mad families. In particular, answering questions of Fischer and Friedman and Friedman and Zdomskyy, we show the constellation $\aleph_1 = \mathfrak{a} <…

We give a combinatorial characterization of when a maximal almost disjoint family of a weakly compact cardinal $\kappa$ is indestructible by the higher random forcing $\mathbb Q_\kappa$. We then use this characterisation to show that…

We explore almost-normality in Isbell-Mr\'owka spaces and some related concepts. We use forcing to provide an example of an almost-normal not normal almost disjoint family, explore the concept of semi-normality in Isbell-Mr\'owka spaces,…