Questions tagged [metamathematics]

the mathematical discipline that applies mathematical methods to the study of mathematical theories themselves.

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1 answer
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What is known about the relationship between Fermat's last theorem and Peano Arithmetic?

As far as I know, whether Fermat's Last Theorem is provable in Peano Arithmetic is an open problem. What is known about this problem? In particular, what is known about the arithmetic systems $PA + \...
Christopher King's user avatar
85 votes
4 answers
21k views

The enigmatic complexity of number theory

One of the most salient aspects of the discipline of number theory is that from a very small number of definitions, entities and axioms one is led to an extraordinary wealth and diversity of theorems, ...
33 votes
3 answers
5k views

Top-down mathematics, or "Where it all begins"

Sorry if this is off-topic. It was my attempt to take a top-down approach to mathematics. Being an inexperienced undergraduate (so please take my writing here lightly), I've been presented with ZFC as ...
steve's user avatar
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30 votes
8 answers
2k views

Cryptomorphisms

I am curious to collect examples of equivalent axiomatizations of mathematical structures. The two examples that I have in mind are Topological Spaces. These can be defined in terms of open sets, ...
14 votes
2 answers
4k views

Meta$^{n{-}th}$ mathematics [duplicate]

Metamathematics has a reasonably clear connotation, enough to have a Wikipedia page, with Gödel, Tarski, and Turing playing leading roles; Kleene's book (Introduction to Metamathematics (Amazon link));...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
2k views

Formal proof of Con(ZFC) => Con(ZFC + not CH) in ZFC

Is it possible to prove $Con(ZFC) \rightarrow Con(ZFC + \neg CH)$ purely within ZFC? To prove this (using forcing) one seems to need a countable transitive model of ZFC. The texts I am reading avoid ...
Tobias Neukom's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
857 views

Feferman's extensional and intensional applications of the method of arithmetization

At the very beginning of Feferman's Arithmetization of metamathematics in a general setting it can be read: The method of arithmetization, as developed by Gödel[10], exploits the possibility of ...
Marc Alcobé García's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
643 views

Is ZFC plus a truth predicate capable of variable substitution consistent?

Let us define a truth predicate that allows one to substitute in variables. For example, for a 3-ary predicate $p$ and sets $A$, $B$, and $C$, then $\text{true}(\ulcorner p \urcorner, A, B, C)$ (where ...
Christopher King's user avatar
72 votes
31 answers
9k views

Can infinity shorten proofs a lot?

I've just been asked for a good example of a situation in maths where using infinity can greatly shorten an argument. The person who wants the example wants it as part of a presentation to the general ...
gowers's user avatar
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27 votes
13 answers
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Are there any good nonconstructive "existential metatheorems"?

Are there any good examples of theorems in reasonably expressive theories (like Peano arithmetic) for which it is substantially easier to prove (in a metatheory) that a proof exists than it is ...
19 votes
2 answers
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Which kind of foundation are mathematicians using when proving metatheorems?

Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory (with choice) is commonly accepted as the standard foundation of mathematics. It is a material set theory. For every two objects/sets $a,b$ one can ask whether $a=b$ or not....
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18 votes
3 answers
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Are there examples of nonconstructive metaproofs?

This came up in a question on the xkcd forums. Is it possible to have a nonconstructive metaproof, i.e. a proof that there exists a proof in some formal system which does not construct said proof? Are ...
skeptical scientist's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
1k views

"Let $x \in A$", beginning a proof of "$\forall x \in A$ ...", if A were empty [closed]

I work at a four-year teaching school, where we pride ourselves on teaching pure math, proof, and a rather obsessive carefulness of work. Recently I have been criticized for saying that "Let $x \in A$...
Coward's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
3k views

A meta-mathematical question related to Hilbert tenth problem

I am reading Bjorn Poonen's very nice survey on Hilbert's Tenth problem (http://www-math.mit.edu/~poonen/papers/uniform.pdf), and while I believe I understand the mathematics well, I have widespread ...
Joël's user avatar
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5 votes
9 answers
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Are there any important mathematical concepts without discrete analog?

In "continuous" mathematics there are several important notions such as covering space, fibre bundle, Morse theory, simplicial complex, differential equation, real numbers, real projective plane, etc. ...
4 votes
0 answers
283 views

the strength of saying "each sentence of true arithmetic has a recursive proof"

Let $PA_{\omega}$ be just like $PA$ except that $PA_{\omega}$-proofs can use any number of applications of the recursive $\omega$-rule. The recursive $\omega$-rule allows the following: For each ...
Haidar's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
512 views

Can adding Hilbert's epsilon to a theory, and then expanding that theories axiom schema to include the new language, cause it to become inconsistent?

Epsilon Calculus is a formalism developed by Hilbert adding his $\epsilon$ operator to predicate logic. $\epsilon x. A(x)$ is a term such that $\exists x.A(x) \implies A(\epsilon x.A(x))$. In can ...
Christopher King's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
295 views

Unorthodox constructive reasoning: The Kleene Getaway

KG (the Kleene Getaway) is the name I improvised (in my answer to a question on MO on constructive Perron-Frobenius) for a constructive principle which enables the direct constructive use of a ...
Franka Waaldijk's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
347 views

Can you formulate a theory stating that a truth predicate does not exist for first order set theory?

A truth predicate for first order set theory would allow you to determine the truth of statements in first order set theory. A definition is given here. My question is, can you formulate a statement ...
Christopher King's user avatar