English

Forcing with random variables in bounded arithmetics and set theory

Logic 2026-03-12 v1

Abstract

We analyse the Boolean-valued random forcing BM,ΩB_{M,\Omega} in bounded arithmetics developed in Krajicek (Forcing with random variables and proof complexity, vol. 382, Cambridge University Press, 2011) from the perspective of the forcing in set theory. We observe that under the assumption that MM is a non-standard ω1\omega_1-saturated model of true arithmetics of size ω1\omega_1, and ΩM\Omega \in M is a non-standard number, BM,ΩB_{M,\Omega} is isomorphic to the probability (random) algebra corresponding to the product measure space on 2ω12^{\omega_1} (and hence does not depend on MM and Ω\Omega). Thus, in a well-defined sense, the forcing BM,ΩB_{M,\Omega} adds a "random integer" to the model MM, using a non-separable algebra corresponding to 2ω12^{\omega_1}. If GG is a generic filter for BM,ΩB_{M,\Omega} over a transitive model of set theory VV, we naturally define in V[G]V[G] two-valued generic extensions M[G]RM[G]^{R} of MM which correspond to Boolean-valued models in Krajicek's book (where RR ranges over collections of random variables which function as names for new integers). We study the relationship between the linear order (M,<)(M,<) and its extensions (M[G]R,<)(M[G]^R,<), proving several results on the extent of the mutual density of new integers in M[G]RM[G]^{R} and the "ground-model" integers in MM. At the end, we discuss some advantages and limitations of interpreting forcing in bounded arithmetics (and other weak theories) in the framework of set-theoretic forcing, providing an alternative to an axiomatic approach to forcing in bounded arithmetics formulated by Atserias and M\"uller in Partially definable forcing and bounded arithmetic, Archive for Mathematical Logic 54 (2015), 1-33.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.10908,
  title  = {Forcing with random variables in bounded arithmetics and set theory},
  author = {Radek Honzik},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.10908},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

25 pages, submitted (2026)

R2 v1 2026-07-01T11:14:53.963Z