Some undecidability results in strong algebraic languages

1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 951-954
Author(s):  
Cornelia Kalfa
Keyword(s):  
Decision Problem ◽  
Decision Problems ◽  
Turing Machines ◽  
Constant Symbol ◽  
Finite Sets ◽  
Operation Symbol ◽  
Halting Problem ◽  
First Order ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Image Position

The recursively unsolvable halting problem for Turing machines is reduced to the problem of the existence or not of an algorithm for deciding whether a field is finite. The latter problem is further reduced to the decision problem of each of propertiesfor recursive sets Σ of equations of strong algebraic languages with infinitely many operation symbols.Decision problems concerning properties of sets of equations were first raised by Tarski [9] and subsequently examined by Perkins [6], McKenzie [4], McNulty [5] and Pigozzi [7]. Perkins is the only one who studied recursive sets; the others investigated finite sets. Since the undecidability of properties Pi for recursive sets of equations does not imply any answer to the corresponding decision problems for finite sets, the latter problems remain open.The work presented here is part of my Ph.D. thesis [2]. I thank Wilfrid Hodges, who supervised it.An algebraic language is a first-order language with equality but without relation symbols. It is here denoted by , where Qi is an operation symbol and cj, is a constant symbol.

scholarly journals Undecidable properties of finite sets of equations

1976 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
George F. McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Decision Problems ◽  
Equational Logic ◽  
Relation Algebras ◽  
Finite Sets ◽  
Operation Symbol ◽  
First Order ◽  
Finite Models ◽  
Order Language

Though equations are among the simplest sentences available in a first order language, many of the most familiar notions from algebra can be expressed by sets of equations. It is the task of this paper to expose techniques and theorems that can be used to establish that many collections of finite sets of equations characterized by common algebraic or logical properties fail to be recursive. The following theorem is typical.Theorem. In a language provided with an operation symbol of rank at least two, the collection of finite irredundant sets of equations is not recursive.Theorems of this kind are part of a pattern of research into decision problems in equational logic. This pattern finds its origins in the works of Markov [8] and Post [20] and in Tarski's development of the theory of relation algebras; see Chin [1], Chin and Tarski [2], and Tarski [23]. The papers of Mal′cev [7] and Perkins [16] are more directly connected with the present paper, which includes generalization of much of Perkins' work as well as extensions of a theorem of D. Smith [22]. V. L. Murskii [14] contains some of the results below discovered independently. Not all known results concerning undecidable properties of finite sets of equations seem to be susceptible to the methods presented here. R. McKenzie, for example, shows in [9] that for a language with an operation symbol of rank at least two, the collection of finite sets of equations with nontrivial finite models is not recursive. D. Pigozzi has extended and elaborated the techniques of this paper in [17], [18], and [19] to obtain new results concerning undecidable properties, particularly those of algebraic character.

The decision problem for formulas in prenex conjunctive normal form with binary disjunctions

1970 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Krom
Keyword(s):  
Normal Form ◽  
Positive Solution ◽  
Decision Problem ◽  
Conjunctive Normal Form ◽  
Decision Problems ◽  
First Order ◽  
Reduction Class ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Positive Integers ◽  
Order Predicate Calculus

In [8] S. J. Maslov gives a positive solution to the decision problem for satisfiability of formulas of the formin any first-order predicate calculus without identity where h, k, m, n are positive integers, αi, βi are signed atomic formulas (atomic formulas or negations of atomic formulas), and ∧, ∨ are conjunction and disjunction symbols, respectively (cf. [6] for a related solvable class). In this paper we show that the decision problem is unsolvable for formulas that are like those considered by Maslov except that they have prefixes of the form ∀x∃y1 … ∃yk∀z. This settles the decision problems for all prefix classes of formulas for formulas that are in prenex conjunctive normal form in which all disjunctions are binary (have just two terms). In our concluding section we report results on decision problems for related classes of formulas including classes of formulas in languages with identity and we describe some special properties of formulas in which all disjunctions are binary including a property that implies that any proof of our result, that a class of formulas is a reduction class for satisfiability, is necessarily indirect. Our proof is based on an unsolvable combinatorial tag problem.

scholarly journals ON PRODUCTS OF ELEMENTARILY INDIVISIBLE STRUCTURES

2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 951-971
Author(s):  
NADAV MEIR
Keyword(s):  
New Products ◽  
Elementary Substructure ◽  
First Order ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Image Position

AbstractWe say a structure ${\cal M}$ in a first-order language ${\cal L}$ is indivisible if for every coloring of its universe in two colors, there is a monochromatic substructure ${\cal M}\prime \subseteq {\cal M}$ such that ${\cal M}\prime \cong {\cal M}$. Additionally, we say that ${\cal M}$ is symmetrically indivisible if ${\cal M}\prime$ can be chosen to be symmetrically embedded in ${\cal M}$ (that is, every automorphism of ${\cal M}\prime$ can be extended to an automorphism of ${\cal M}$). Similarly, we say that ${\cal M}$ is elementarily indivisible if ${\cal M}\prime$ can be chosen to be an elementary substructure. We define new products of structures in a relational language. We use these products to give recipes for construction of elementarily indivisible structures which are not transitive and elementarily indivisible structures which are not symmetrically indivisible, answering two questions presented by A. Hasson, M. Kojman, and A. Onshuus.

Truth In V for ∃*∀∀-Sentences is Decidable

2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1200-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bellé ◽  
F. Parlamento
Keyword(s):  
Set Theory ◽  
Finite Sets ◽  
First Order ◽  
Free Variables ◽  
Order Language

AbstractLet V be the cumulative set theoretic hierarchy, generated from the empty set by taking powers at successor stages and unions at limit stages and. following [2], let the primitive language of set theory be the first order language which contains binary symbols for equality and membership only. Despite the existence of ∀∀-formulae in the primitive language, with two free variables, which are satisfiable in ∀ but not by finite sets ([5]). and therefore of ∃∃∀∀ sentences of the same language, which are undecidable in ZFC without the Axiom of Infinity, truth in V for ∃*∀∀-sentences of the primitive language, is decidable ([1]). Completeness of ZF with respect to such sentences follows.

Note on an induction axiom

1978 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
J. B. Paris
Keyword(s):  
Physical World ◽  
First Order ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Image Position ◽  
The Relationship

Let θ(ν) be a formula in the first-order language of arithmetic and letIn this note we study the relationship between the schemas I′ and I+.Our interest in I+ lies in the fact that it is ostensibly a more reasonable schema than I′. For, if we believe the hypothesis of I+(θ) then to verify θ(n) only requires at most 2log2(n) steps, whereas assuming the hypothesis of I′(θ) we require n steps to verify θ(n). In the physical world naturally occurring numbers n rarely exceed 10100. For such n applying 2log2(n) steps is quite feasible whereas applying n steps may well not be.Of course this is very much an anthropomorphic argument so we would expect that it would be most likely to be valid when we restrict our attention to relatively simple formulas θ. We shall show that when restricted to open formulas I+ does not imply I′ but that this fails for the classes Σn, Πn, n ≥ 0.We shall work in PA−, where PA− consists of Peano's Axioms less induction together with∀u, w(u + w = w + u ∧ u · w = w · u),∀u, w, t ((u + w) + t = u + (w + t) ∧ (u · w) · t = u · (w · t)),∀u, w, t(u · (w + t) = u · w + u · t),∀u, w(u ≤ w ↔ ∃t(u + t = w)),∀u, w(u ≤ w ∨ w ≤ u),∀u, w, t(u + w = u + t → w = t).The reasons for working with PA− rather than Peano's Axioms less induction is that our additional axioms, whilst intuitively reasonable, will not necessarily follow from some of the weaker forms of I+ which we shall be considering. Of course PA− still contains those Peano Axioms which define + andNotice that, trivially, PA− ⊦ I′(θ) → I+(θ) for any formula θ.

Decidable properties of finite sets of equations in trivial languages

1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1333-1338
Author(s):  
Cornelia Kalfa
Keyword(s):  
Equational Theory ◽  
Order Theory ◽  
Operation Symbol ◽  
First Order ◽  
First Order Theory ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Finite Set ◽  
Joint Embedding ◽  
Algebraic Language ◽  
Joint Embedding Property

In [4] I proved that in any nontrivial algebraic language there are no algorithms which enable us to decide whether a given finite set of equations Σ has each of the following properties except P2 (for which the problem is open):P0(Σ) = the equational theory of Σ is equationally complete.P1(Σ) = the first-order theory of Σ is complete.P2(Σ) = the first-order theory of Σ is model-complete.P3(Σ) = the first-order theory of the infinite models of Σ is complete.P4(Σ) = the first-order theory of the infinite models of Σ is model-complete.P5(Σ) = Σ has the joint embedding property.In this paper I prove that, in any finite trivial algebraic language, such algorithms exist for all the above Pi's. I make use of Ehrenfeucht's result [2]: The first-order theory generated by the logical axioms of any trivial algebraic language is decidable. The results proved here are part of my Ph.D. thesis [3]. I thank Wilfrid Hodges, who supervised it.Throughout the paper is a finite trivial algebraic language, i.e. a first-order language with equality, with one operation symbol f of rank 1 and at most finitely many constant symbols.

Generalized quantifiers and elementary extensions of countable models

1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Dubiel
Keyword(s):  
Countable Model ◽  
Generalized Quantifiers ◽  
Natural Question ◽  
Elementary Extension ◽  
First Order ◽  
Transitive Model ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Countable Models

Let L be a countable first-order language and L(Q) be obtained by adjoining an additional quantifier Q. Q is a generalization of the quantifier “there exists uncountably many x such that…” which was introduced by Mostowski in [4]. The logic of this latter quantifier was formalized by Keisler in [2]. Krivine and McAloon [3] considered quantifiers satisfying some but not all of Keisler's axioms. They called a formula φ(x) countable-like iffor every ψ. In Keisler's logic, φ(x) being countable-like is the same as ℳ⊨┐Qxφ(x). The main theorem of [3] states that any countable model ℳ of L[Q] has an elementary extension N, which preserves countable-like formulas but no others, such that the only sets definable in both N and M are those defined by formulas countable-like in M. Suppose C(x) in M is linearly ordered and noncountable-like but with countable-like proper segments. Then in N, C will have new elements greater than all “old” elements but no least new element — otherwise it will be definable in both models. The natural question is whether it is possible to use generalized quantifiers to extend models elementarily in such a way that a noncountable-like formula C will have a minimal new element. There are models and formulas for which it is not possible. For example let M be obtained from a minimal transitive model of ZFC by letting Qxφ(x) mean “there are arbitrarily large ordinals satisfying φ”.

Types of simple α-recursively enumerable sets

1976 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-426
Author(s):  
Manuel Lerman
Keyword(s):  
Lattice Theory ◽  
Regular Cardinal ◽  
Finite Sets ◽  
First Order ◽  
Recursively Enumerable ◽  
Regular Cardinals ◽  
Constructible Sets ◽  
Set Inclusion ◽  
Order Language ◽  
Recursively Enumerable Sets

Let α be an admissible ordinal, and let (α) denote the lattice of α-r.e. sets, ordered by set inclusion. An α-r.e. set A is α*-finite if it is α-finite and has ordertype less than α* (the Σ1 projectum of α). An a-r.e. set S is simple if (the complement of S) is not α*-finite, but all the α-r.e. subsets of are α*-finite. Fixing a first-order language ℒ suitable for lattice theory (see [2, §1] for such a language), and noting that the α*-finite sets are exactly those elements of (α), all of whose α-r.e. subsets have complements in (α) (see [4, p. 356]), we see that the class of simple α-r.e. sets is definable in ℒ over (α). In [4, §6, (Q22)], we asked whether an admissible ordinal α exists for which all simple α-r.e. sets have the same 1-type. We were particularly interested in this question for α = ℵ1L (L is Gödel's universe of constructible sets). We will show that for all α which are regular cardinals of L (ℵ1L is, of course, such an α), there are simple α-r.e. sets with different 1-types.The sentence exhibited which differentiates between simple α-r.e. sets is not the first one which comes to mind. Using α = ω for intuition, one would expect any of the sentences “S is a maximal α-r.e. set”, “S is an r-maximal α-r.e. set”, or “S is a hyperhypersimple α-r.e. set” to differentiate between simple α-r.e. sets. However, if α > ω is a regular cardinal of L, there are no maximal, r-maximal, or hyperhypersimple α-r.e. sets (see [4, Theorem 4.11], [5, Theorem 5.1] and [1,Theorem 5.21] respectively). But another theorem of (ω) points the way.

scholarly journals The Entropy Function for Non Polynomial Problems and Its Applications for Turing Machines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Santana Lima
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Decision Problem ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Decision Problems ◽  
Turing Machines ◽  
Bernoulli Process ◽  
General Process ◽  
New Interpretation

We present a general process for the halting problem, valid regardless of the time and space computational complexity of the decision problem. It can be interpreted as the maximization of entropy for the utility function of a given Shannon-Kolmogorov-Bernoulli process. Applications to non-polynomials problems are given. The new interpretation of information rate proposed in this work is a method that models the solution space boundaries of any decision problem (and non polynomial problems in general) as a communication channel by means of Information Theory. We described a sort method that order objects using the intrinsic information content distribution for the elements of a constrained solution space - modeled as messages transmitted through any communication systems. The limits of the search space are defined by the Kolmogorov-Chaitin complexity of the sequences encoded as Shannon-Bernoulli strings. We conclude with a discussion about the implications for general decision problems in Turing machines.

Decision problems for multiple successor arithmetics

1966 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Thatcher
Keyword(s):  
Decision Problem ◽  
Decision Procedure ◽  
Decision Problems ◽  
First Order

Let Nk denote the set of words over the alphabet Σk = {1, …, k}. Nk contains the null word which is denoted λ. We consider decision problems for various first-order interpreted predicate languages in which the variables range over Nk (k ≧ 2). Our main result is that there is no decision procedure for truth in the interpreted language which has the subword relation as its only non-logical primitive. This, together with known results summarized in Section 4, settles the decision problem for any language constructed on the basis of the relations and functions listed below.

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