Related papers: Hydras for $\omega_{1}$
A hydra game is proposed, and the fact that every hydra eventually die out is shown to be equivalent (over a weak arithmetic) to the 1-consistency of set theory KPM for recursively Mahlo universes.
In this paper we calibrate the strength of the soundness of a Kripke-Platek set theory with the axioms of Infinity and \Pi_{1}-Collection with the assumption that`there exists an uncountable regular ordinal' in terms of the existence of…
In set theory without the axiom of regularity, we consider a game in which two players choose in turn an element of a given set, an element of this element, etc.; a player wins if its adversary cannot make any next move. Sets that are…
We give a new simple proof of the decidability of the First Order Theory of (omega^omega^i,+) and the Monadic Second Order Theory of (omega^i,<), improving the complexity in both cases. Our algorithm is based on tree automata and a new…
We prove the twin prime conjecture and the generalized conjectures of Kronecker and Polignac. Key to the proofs is a new theoretical sieve that combines two concepts that go back to Eratosthenes: the 'sieve' filtering a finite set of…
We specify the frontier of decidability for fragments of the first-order theory of ordinal multiplication. We give a NEXPTIME lower bound for the complexity of the existential fragment of $\langle \omega^{\omega^\lambda}; \times, \omega,…
We present a new encoding of the Battle of Hercules and Hydra as a rewrite system with AC symbols. Unlike earlier term rewriting encodings, it faithfully models any strategy of Hercules to beat Hydra. To prove the termination of our…
For every natural number $n$, there exist finitely presented groups with residual finiteness depths $\omega\cdot n$ and $\omega\cdot n + 1$. The ordinals that arise as the residual finiteness depth of a finitely generated group…
The recursive path ordering is an established and crucial tool in term rewriting to prove termination. We revisit its presentation by means of some simple rules on trees (or corresponding terms) equipped with a 'star' as control symbol,…
We deal with the monadic (second-order) theory of order. We prove all known results in a unified way, show a general way of reduction, prove more results and show the limitation on extending them. We prove (CH) that the monadic theory of…
In the paper we introduce a weak set theory $\mathsf{H}_{<\omega}$ . A formalization of arithmetic on finite von Neumann ordinals gives an embedding of arithmetical language into this theory. We show that $\mathsf{H}_{<\omega}$ proves a…
Can a computer which runs for time $\omega^2$ compute more than one which runs for time $\omega$? No. Not, at least, for the infinite computer we describe. Our computer gets more powerful when the set of its steps gets larger. We prove that…
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…
There exists a family $\{B_{\alpha}\}_{\alpha<\omega_1}$ of sets of countable ordinals such that o $\max B_{\alpha}=\alpha$, o if $\alpha\in B_{\beta}$ then $B_{\alpha}\subseteq B_{\beta}$, o if $\lambda\leq \alpha$ and $\lambda$ is a limit…
We prove that many seemingly simple theories have Borel complete reducts. Specifically, if a countable theory has uncountably many complete 1-types, then it has a Borel complete reduct. Similarly, if $Th(M)$ is not small, then $M^{eq}$ has…
In this paper I introduce a new and intuitive first-order foundational theory (where the concept of set is not primitive) and use it to show that the power set of an infinite set does not exist. In particular, proofs of uncountability of a…
We study the reverse mathematics of pigeonhole principles for finite powers of the ordinal $\omega$. Four natural formulations are presented and their relative strengths are compared. In the analysis of the pigeonhole principle for…
We characterize pairs of orthogonal countable ordinals. Two ordinals $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are orthogonal if there are two linear orders $A$ and $B$ on the same set $V$ with order types $\alpha$ and $\beta$ respectively such that the only…
There is a proper countable support iteration of length $\omega$ adding no new reals at finite stages and adding a Sacks real in the limit.
We show that it is relatively consistent with ZF that the Borel hierarchy on the reals has length $\omega_2$. This implies that $\omega_1$ has countable cofinality, so the axiom of choice fails very badly in our model. A similar argument…