Avoiding logical strength in real analysis
摘要
In reverse mathematics, real numbers are traditionally represented by Cauchy sequences with a given rate of convergence. We work without rates and speak of slow Cauchy sequences. It turns out that almost all one-dimensional real analysis from the reverse mathematics book by Simpson can then be developed in theories that are conservative over . Specifically, we obtain clusters of equivalences with the infinite pigeonhole principle and the strong cohesive principle. The second cluster includes results like the Bolzano-Weierstrass and Arzel\`a-Ascoli theorems, which are traditionally associated with the stronger axiom of arithmetical comprehension, but also the Heine-Borel theorem, which is normally separated from these principles. This suggests two things: In elementary analysis, one can avoid logical strength to an extent that the traditional picture seems to forbid. And the division of the so-called reverse mathematics zoo into analytical and combinatorial principles may be less rigid than previously assumed.
引用
@article{arxiv.2605.15151,
title = {Avoiding logical strength in real analysis},
author = {Anton Freund and Nicholas Pischke and Patrick Uftring},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.15151},
year = {2026}
}