Related papers: A Mad Q-set
The mad spectrum is the set of all cardinalities of infinite maximal almost disjoint families on omega. We treat the problem to characterize those sets A which, in some forcing extension of the universe, can be the mad spectrum. We solve…
We throw some light on the question: is there a MAD family (= a family of infinite subsets of N, the intersection of any two is finite) which is completely separable (i.e. any X subseteq N is included in a finite union of members of the…
Given a family $F$ of pairwise almost disjoint sets on a countable set $S$, we study maximal almost disjoint (mad) families $F^+$ extending $F$. We define $a^+(F)$ to be the minimal possible cardinality of $F^+\setminus F$ for such $F^+$,…
We introduce a new class of almost disjoint families which we call fin-intersecting almost disjoint families. They are related to almost disjoint families whose Vietoris Hyperspace of their Isbell-Mr\'owka spaces are pseudocompact. We show…
We study two different types of (maximal) almost disjoint families: very mad families and (maximal) cofinitary groups. For the very mad families we prove the basic existence results. We prove that MA implies there exist many pairwise…
Starting from an inaccessible cardinal, we construct a model of $ZF+DC$ where there exists a mad family and all sets of reals are $\mathbb Q$-measurable for $\omega^{\omega}$-bounding sufficiently absolute forcing notions $\mathbb Q$.
We show that if all collections of infinite subsets of $\N$ have the Ramsey property, then there are no infinite maximal almost disjoint (mad) families. This solves a long-standing problem going back to Mathias \cite{mathias}. The proof…
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 $\mathcal{F}$…
In this work, we introduce a natural notion concerning finite vector spaces. A family of $k$-dimensional subspaces of $\mathbb{F}_q^n$, which forms a partial spread, is called almost affinely disjoint if any $(k+1)$-dimensional subspace…
The collection of branches (maximal linearly ordered sets of nodes) of the tree ${}^{<\omega}\omega$ (ordered by inclusion) forms an almost disjoint family (of sets of nodes). This family is not maximal -- for example, any level of the tree…
A set of sets is called a family. Two families $\mathcal{A}$ and $\mathcal{B}$ of sets are said to be cross-intersecting if each member of $\mathcal{A}$ intersects each member of $\mathcal{B}$. For any two integers $n$ and $k$ with $1 \leq…
We study the notion of $\mathcal J$-MAD families where $\mathcal J$ is a Borel ideal on $\omega$. We show that if $\mathcal J$ is an arbitrary $F_\sigma$ ideal, or is any finite or countably iterated Fubini product of $F_\sigma$ ideals,…
Let $E$ be a vector space over a countable field of dimension $\aleph_0$. Two infinite-dimensional subspaces $V,W \subseteq E$ are almost disjoint if $V \cap W$ is finite-dimensional. This paper provides some improvements on results about…
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…
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 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…
We survey results regarding the definability and size of maximal discrete sets in analytic hypergraphs. Our main examples include maximal almost disjoint (or mad) families, $\mathcal I$-mad families, maximal eventually different families,…
A Q-set is an uncountable set of reals all of whose subsets are relative $G_\delta$ sets. We prove that, for an arbitrary uncountable cardinal kappa, there is consistently a Q-set of size $\kappa$ whose square is not Q. This answers a…
Let $G$ be a finite group. A family $\mathcal{M}$ of maximal subgroups of $G$ is called `irredundant' if its intersection is not equal to the intersection of any proper subfamily. $\mathcal{M}$ is called `maximal irredundant' if…
Given a countable transitive model $M$ for ZFC+CH, we prove that one can produce a maximal almost disjoint family in $M$ whose Vietoris Hyperspace of its Isbell-Mr\'owka space is pseudocompact on every Cohen extension of $M$. We also show…