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Questions tagged [descriptive-set-theory]

Descriptive Set Theory is the study of definable subsets of Polish spaces, where definable is taken to mean from the Borel or projective hierarchies. Other topics include infinite games and determinacy, definable equivalence relations and Borel reductions between them, Polish groups, and effective descriptive set theory.

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An uncountable measurable subset of $\Bbb R$ containing no nonempty perfect set

$\newcommand\R{\Bbb R}$Assuming the axiom of choice, is there an uncountable Lebesgue-measurable subset $S$ of $\R$ that contains no nonempty perfect set? Of course, such a set $S$, if it exists, ...
Iosif Pinelis's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
69 views

How irregular can the set of points of non-differentiability for an L1 function's primitive F get, before the FTC fails?

A Fundamental Theorem of Calculus for Lebesgue Integration, J. J. Koliha begins with the passage Lebesgue proved a number of remarkable results on the relation between integration and differentiation....
D.R.'s user avatar
  • 831
8 votes
0 answers
194 views

Can $\mathbb{C}$ have a "doppelganger" in $L(\mathbb{R})$ with countable automorphism group?

Working in $\mathsf{ZFC}$ + large cardinals (a proper class of Woodins, to be precise), is there a field $F\in L(\mathbb{R})$ such that $V\models F\cong\mathbb{C}$ and $L(\mathbb{R})\models\vert\...
Noah Schweber's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
101 views

There is only one reasonable $\sigma$-algebra on the space $\mathcal D'$ of distributions

Consider the space $\mathcal D'(M)$ of distributions on a manifold $M$. Is there a ready reference for the fact that the Borel $\sigma$-algebra (for the strong dual topology) coincides with the weak ...
Pierre PC's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
157 views

If $\omega_1$ is not inaccessible in $L$, how hard can it be to find a non-measurable $\Sigma^1_3$ set of reals?

In his wonderfully titled paper Can you take Solovay's inaccessible away? Shelah showed that if every $\mathbf{\Sigma}^1_3$ set of reals is Lebesgue measurable, then $\omega_1$ is an inaccessible ...
James E Hanson's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
161 views

Are Cohen Generics Minimal Covers?

Are Cohen generics (in $2^\omega$) minimal covers? I'm ultimately interested in this question for some more effective notion of forcing but I realized I wasn't sure how to show this even assuming full ...
Peter Gerdes's user avatar
  • 3,029
3 votes
1 answer
144 views

Descriptive set theoretic complexity of computable maps with respect to the Turing jump of the input

For natural numbers $e$, $n$ and elements of Cantor space $X$ let $\{e\}^X(n)$ be the result of running the $e$th Turing machine with oracle $X$ on input $n$. Let $X'$ be the Turing jump of X. Suppose ...
Nate Ackerman's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
108 views

Name For Effective Cantor-Bendixsonish Derivitive

When dealing with a tree (substring closed subset of $\omega^{< \omega})$ a useful operation will frequently be to remove any nodes with finite ordinal rank (i.e., all nodes whose extensions on the ...
Peter Gerdes's user avatar
  • 3,029
3 votes
0 answers
66 views

Borel complexity of the set of generic points for an invariant measure in a minimal system

I would like to know what are possible Borel complexities of the set of generic points for a minimal topological dynamical system. The only possible complexity for which we do not know if it is ...
Dominik Kwietniak's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
76 views

Can we generalize the Kuratowski Extension Theorem to Souslin spaces?

The Kuratowski Extension Theorem says: Let $(X,\mathcal{A})$ be a measurable space, $Y$ be a polish space, $A\subseteq X$, and $f:A\to Y$ be a measurable map. Then there is a measurable function $F:X\...
rfloc's user avatar
  • 627
13 votes
1 answer
290 views

Descriptive complexity of analytic continuation

Consider the set of complex power series $$ f(z)=\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n $$ that have radius of convergence $1$ and can be analytically continued to the neighborhood of some point on the unit circle. ...
183orbco3's user avatar
  • 623
1 vote
1 answer
208 views

Function $g:\mathbb{R}\to \mathbb{R}^n$ such that $g(\sum_{i=1}^nx_i)=(x_1,\dotsc,x_n)$ a.e

Is there a measurable function $g:\mathbb{R}\to \mathbb{R}^n$ such that $g(\sum_{i=1}^nx_i)=(x_1,\dotsc,x_n)$ a.e.? Due to the papers [1], [2], and [3] I'm obtaining a result that I think it's false. ...
rfloc's user avatar
  • 627
6 votes
0 answers
179 views

$Δ^1_3$ reals in transitive models

Every real number is $Δ^1_2$ in some $ω$-model of ZFC\P. I am looking for analogous statements for $Δ^1_3$ definability and transitive models, where the situation is more subtle. What is the ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
238 views

AD and simultaneous well-orderability principle

Is the axiom of determinacy (AD) consistent with the following choice principle, and if yes, does it hold in $L(ℝ)$ under AD: Simultaneous well-orderability: For every function $f:P(Ord)→\text{...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
498 views

What is the least $\alpha$ such that $L_\alpha$ contains a non-measurable set

What is the least level of the constructable hierarchy that contains a non-measurable (Lebesgue) subset of $2^\omega$. If it makes a difference assume we are working inside L (V=L). I'm pretty sure it ...
Peter Gerdes's user avatar
  • 3,029
3 votes
0 answers
117 views

Which sigma-ideals in a sigma-algebra are contained in an ideal of null sets?

Let $X$ be a Polish space and $\mathcal{B}(X)$ be the $\sigma$-algebra of Borel subsets of $X$. Given a Borel probability measure $\mu$ on $X$, we write $\mathcal{N}(\mu) := \{ B \in \mathcal{B}(X) : \...
Stefan Schrott's user avatar
15 votes
0 answers
244 views

Natural examples of Borel surjections without right inverse

As discussed in this question, in general a Borel surjection $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ may not have a Borel right inverse, namely a $g$ such that $f\circ g=id$, although there is always a ...
183orbco3's user avatar
  • 623
10 votes
2 answers
564 views

Cardinal arithmetic under determinacy

Work in a reasonable theory of determinacy such as $\mathsf{ZF+DC+AD}$. Which of the following identities are true for arbitrary infinite sets? $|A^2|=|A^3|$ (motivated by an MSE question that asks ...
n901's user avatar
  • 667
6 votes
0 answers
173 views

Measurable functions from logical formulas

Let $A(X, Y)$ be an arithmetical formula with (only) second-order variables $X, Y\subset \mathbb{N}$. Assuming $(\forall X\subset \mathbb{N})(\exists Y\subset\mathbb{N})A(X, Y)$, there is a choice ...
Sam Sanders's user avatar
  • 4,359
5 votes
2 answers
247 views

Definability properties of box-open subsets of Polish space

Let $X$ be a perfect Polish space $X$, so that $X^\omega$ is also a Polish space under the product topology. Call a subset $\mathcal{X} \subseteq X^\omega$ box-open if it is an open subset of $X^\...
Clement Yung's user avatar
  • 1,372
5 votes
0 answers
95 views

Is there an equivalent condition for Borel projections being Borel?

Let $X,Y$ be Polish spaces, and $B\subseteq X \times Y$ a Borel subset. The projection $B_X$ is not necessarily Borel in $X$. I have seen a few sufficient conditions for the projection to be Borel, ...
J.R.'s user avatar
  • 291
4 votes
1 answer
311 views

If $f=h\circ g$, then there's a measurable function $\tilde h$ such that $f=\tilde h\circ g$

Let $X,Y,Z$ be three standard measurable spaces and $f:X\to Z$ and $g:X\to Y$ two measurable functions. Suppose that there's a function $h:Y\to Z$ such that $f=h\circ g$. How can I show that there's a ...
rfloc's user avatar
  • 627
3 votes
0 answers
212 views

Periodicity in the cumulative hierarchy

Under Reinhardt cardinals in ZF, the cumulative hierarchy exhibits a periodicity in that for large enough $λ$, certain properties of $V_λ$ depend on whether $λ$ is even vs odd. See Periodicity in the ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
14 votes
3 answers
1k views

Examples of concrete games to apply Borel determinacy to

I'm teaching a course on various mathematical aspects of games, and I'd like to find some examples to illustrate Borel determinacy. Open or closed determinacy is easy to motivate because it proves ...
Gro-Tsen's user avatar
  • 32.5k
10 votes
1 answer
258 views

Sufficient condition for the graph of a measurable map to be measurable

Let $f:X \to Y$ be measurable map between measurable spaces w.r.t. to their corresponding $\sigma$-algebras $\Sigma_X$ and $\Sigma_Y$, resp. If $(X,\Sigma_X)$ is a standard Borel space can we always ...
Packo's user avatar
  • 285
4 votes
0 answers
166 views

Consistency of definability beyond P(Ord) in ZF

Is it consistent with ZF that the satisfaction relation of $L(P(Ord))$ is $Δ^V_2$ definable? More generally, is it consistent with ZF that there is a $Δ^V_2$ formula (taking $α$ as a parameter) that ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
118 views

Uniformization and functions on Turing degrees

Assuming Martin's Conjecture on functions between Turing degrees, is AD + DC consistent with existence of an $f:\mathcal{D}_t → \mathcal{D}_t$ of rank $Θ$ ? $\mathcal{D}_t$ is the set of Turing ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
53 views

meaning of "the singletons of $\Gamma$ are a basis for $\Gamma$"

In a set of notes for the Cabal Seminar a theorem is attributed to Moschovakis which includes the statement that for certain pointclasses $\Gamma$ the singletons of $\Gamma$ are a basis for $\Gamma$. ...
Rupert's user avatar
  • 2,125
9 votes
1 answer
428 views

The cardinality of projections of subsets of the Hilbert cube by inner products

I have three related questions. Question 1: Is there a subset $X$ of the Hilbert cube $[0,1]^{\Bbb N}$ of cardinality continuum, such that for each sequence $a\in [0,1]^{\Bbb N}$ with $\sum a_n$ ...
Boaz Tsaban's user avatar
  • 3,104
6 votes
1 answer
149 views

Is there a Bernstein subset $X$ of $\mathbb{R}$ such that no continuous map $f : X → [0,1]$ is surjective?

Is there a Bernstein subset $X$ of $\mathbb{R}$ such that no continuous map $f : X → [0,1]$ is surjective ?
Alexander Osipov's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
177 views

Is there a metric separable space with the following properties...?

Let $\omega_1<\mathfrak{q}_0$ where $\mathfrak{q}_0:=\min\{|Y|:Y\subseteq \mathbb{R}$, $Y$ is not a $Q$-space$\}$. Is there a metric separable space $X$ with the following properties: $|X|\geq\...
Alexander Osipov's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
185 views

Complexity of transfinite 5-in-a-row and other games

Suppose that 5-in-a-row is played on an infinite board, and after an infinite number of moves, if no one won yet and there is an empty square, the game just continues. At limit steps, it is the first ...
Dmytro Taranovsky's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
289 views

Subset of the reals with zero inner measure and "full" outer measure in $\mathsf{ZF}+\mathsf{DC}$

Working in $\mathsf{ZF}+\mathsf{DC}$ (that is, we are allowed to use Dependent Choice but not full choice), suppose that there exists a non-measurable subset of the unit interval $[0,1]$ (just non-...
David Fernandez-Breton's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
116 views

Closure of a pointclass under universal real quantification

Let us assume $\mathsf{AD}^+$ and let $\Gamma$ be a pointclass such that $P(\mathbb{R})\cap L(\Gamma)=\Gamma$ and $L(\Gamma)\models\mathsf{AD}_\mathbb{R}+\mathsf{DC}$. Since the cofinality of $o(\...
Obrad Kasum's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
141 views

Proof of: No rapid filter is Lebesgue measurable

I'm studying the following theorem in (Schindler, 2014: Set Theory Exploring Independence and Truth), p. 178-180: Theorem 9.16 (Mokobodzki) No rapid filter F $\subset$ ${}^\omega 2$ is Lebesgue ...
Caro Meier's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
223 views

Is every compact, sober, second-countable space the image of $2^\omega$?

As a bonus, is every compact, $T_0$, second-countable space the image of $2^\omega \times \omega$? As a further bonus, can we strengthen "image" to "quotient"? My motivation for ...
Robin Saunders's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
252 views

Does every (Abelian) Polish group have a nontrivial locally compact subgroup?

The question is pretty much in the title, suppose that $G$ is an (Abelian) nontrivial Polish group, must $G$ have a nontrivial locally compact (in the induced topology, hence necessarily closed) ...
Alessandro Codenotti's user avatar
8 votes
0 answers
230 views

The Hausdorff dimension of the set of reals of inner models

Suppose that both $M$ and $N$ are models of $ZFC$ with $M\subseteq N$ so that $M$ is definable in $N$. Question Can $(\mathbb{R})^M$ have Hausdorff dimension strictly between $0$ and $1$ in $N$? How ...
喻 良's user avatar
  • 4,201
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

Follow up question: Shelah's "Can you take Solovay's inaccessible away?"

In this answer to the question " Shelah's "Can you take Solovay's inaccessible away?" " the following is stated: Assume that $\aleph_1$ is not inaccessible in $L$, hence a ...
C_M's user avatar
  • 83
2 votes
1 answer
288 views

Erdős–Sierpiński duality in locally compact Polish groups (e.g. $\mathbb{R}^n$)

Erdős–Sierpiński mapping for a locally compact Polish group $G$ is a bijection $f$ from $G$ to $G$ such that $A$ is a null set in $G$ with respect to the Haar measure if and only if $f(A)$ is a meager ...
Nugi's user avatar
  • 131
6 votes
1 answer
301 views

A variation on pinned equivalence relations

Recall (see e.g. Zapletal, Pinned equivalence relations) that a Borel equivalence relation $E$ on $\omega^\omega$ is pinned iff for every forcing $\mathbb{P}$ and every $\mathbb{P}$-name $\nu$ we have ...
Noah Schweber's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
460 views

How much Dependent Choice is provable in $Z_2$? And what about Projective Determinacy?

So, second order arithmetic, $Z_2$, is capable of proving quite a few things. One thing which would be of use is dependent choice for $\mathbb{R}$. Basically, dependent choice on $\mathbb{R}$ says ...
Alex Appel's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
185 views

Existence of Borel uniformization for coanalytic set with non-$K_\sigma$ sections

Suppose that $X$ is a Polish (or standard Borel) space and $\omega^\omega$ is the Baire space of all natural number sequences. My question is: If $A\subseteq X\times \omega^\omega$ is a coanalytic set ...
Iian Smythe's user avatar
  • 3,115
27 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is every real number in [0,1] a product of three (or more) Cantor set's numbers?

It is well known that every number $x$ in the unit interval $[0,1]$ is the arithmetic mean of two elements of the (triadic) Cantor set $C$. The way to see it I like the most: the Cantor set is the ...
Pietro Majer's user avatar
  • 60.5k