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Math 6000: Model Theory, Spring 2016


Lecture Topics


Date
What we discussed/How we spent our time
Jan 11
Syllabus. Text. We discussed some definitions of "model theory", and then informally discussed structure, sentence, $\vdash$, $\models$, and independence.
Jan 13
We discussed the alphabet of symbols of a language, the definition of structures, and started talking about formulas.
Jan 15
We discussed terms, atomic formulas, formulas, and the satisfaction of a formula in a structure at a value ($\mathbf A\models \varphi[v]$).
Jan 20
We discussed Galois connections induced by a relation.
Jan 22
We discussed the Galois connection between $\mathcal L$-structures and $\mathcal L$-sentences induced by $\models$. We noticed that the collection of $\mathcal L$-theories forms a lattice under intersection and join (= theory generated by the union). Each element of the lattice is extendible to a maximal proper element (a complete theory). We noted that the complete theories are exactly the theories of single structures. We introduced the notion of elementary equivalence. [Some of our observations relied on Gödel's Completeness Theorem.]
Jan 25
We discussed the space of complete $\mathcal L$-theories (or $\mathcal L$-structures modulo elementary equivalence), and argued that it is compact, Hausdorff and zero-dimensional. [The proof relied on Gödel's Completeness Theorem.]
Jan 27
We discussed theories of fields. In particular, we showed that every field of positive characteristic satisfies $\exists x\exists y(x^2+y^2=-1)$, but no totally ordered field satisfies this sentence. We used this to show that $\mathbb Q$ and $\mathbb R$ do not belong to the elementary class generated by fields of positive characteristic. We showed how to express ``There is an irreducible monic cubic in $\mathbb F[x]$'' in a first-order way, and used this to show that $\mathbb R$ and $\mathbb C$ do not belong to the elementary class generated by finite fields. We started talking about topological convergence via limits over (ultra)filters.
Jan 29
We proved the results of the first of Wednesday's handouts, and discussed the results of the second.
Feb 1
We proved that $x\in \overline{Y}$ iff $\lim_{\mathcal U} f = x$ for some $I, f, {\mathcal U}$ such that $f(I)\subseteq Y$. We then proved that ${\mathcal X}$ is compact iff for any $I, f, {\mathcal U}$ there is at least one $x\in {\mathcal X}$ such that $\lim_{\mathcal U} f=x$. I asked you to read the proof that ${\mathcal X}$ is Hausdorff iff for any $I, f, {\mathcal U}$ there is at most one $x\in {\mathcal X}$ such that $\lim_{\mathcal U} f=x$. We then discussed compactness of the space of complete $\mathcal L$-theories.
Feb 3
We started by discussing the difference between ``consistency'' and ``satisfiability''. We stated the Compactness Theorem. we reviewed basic terminology associated to maps of sets/spaces/structures, e.g.: domain, codomain, image, fiber, coimage, inclusion map, natural map, induced map, $\varphi = \iota\circ \overline{\varphi}\circ \nu$, bijective morphism versus isomorphism, weak topology for a family of outgoing maps, strong topology for a family of incoming maps, subgroup or subspace, quotient group or quotient space. We then defined homomorphism of first-order structures. weak interpretation (of relation symbols) for a family of incoming maps, strong interpretation for a family of outgoing maps, substructure and quotient structure.
Feb 5
We defined substructure, quotient structure, product, and ultraproduct.
Feb 8
We proved Łos's Theorem
Feb 10
We derived some corollaries from Łos's Theorem:
Cor. A sentence holds in an ultraproduct iff it holds in almost every coordinate modulo the ultrafilter.
Cor. A class of $\mathcal L$-structures is 1rst-order axiomatizable iff it is closed under elementary equivalence and ultraproducts.
Thm (Keisler-Shelah). $\mathbb A \equiv \mathbb B$ iff $\mathbb A$ and $\mathbb B$ have isomorphic ultrapowers. (Not proved.)
Cor. A class of $\mathcal L$-structures is 1rst-order axiomatizable iff it is closed under elementary equivalence and ultraproducts.
Compactness Theorem, version 1. A set $\Sigma$ of $\mathcal L$-structures is satisfiable iff it is finitely satisfiable.
Compactness Theorem, version 2. A set $\Sigma$ of $\mathcal L$-structures is not satisfiable iff there is some finite subset $\Sigma_0\subseteq \Sigma$ that is not satisfiable.
Compactness Theorem, version 3. $\Sigma\models \sigma$ iff $\Sigma_0\models \sigma$ for some finite $\Sigma_0\subseteq \Sigma$.
Cor. A class $\mathcal K$ is finitely axiomatizable iff $\mathcal K$ and $\overline{\mathcal K}$ are axiomatizable. (A topological proof, and a proof via the Compactness Theorem.)
Cor. If $\Sigma$ and $\Sigma'$ axiomatiza the same class, and $\Sigma$ is finite, then there is a finite subset $\Sigma_0\subseteq \Sigma$ that axiomatizes the same class. Example. We stated Birkoff's Theorem, that a class of structures in an algebraic lannguage is axiomatizable by identities iff it is closed under the formation of homomorphic images, substructures and products. Then we claimed that it is not hard to show that the class of 2-step nilpotent groups is closed under the formation of homomorphic images, substructures and products, hence this class is axiomatizable by identities. It is also finitely axiomatizable by the group laws and the 1rst-order sentence $\forall x\forall y\exists z\forall w((xy=yxz)\wedge (zw=wz))$, which is not an identity. It follows that the class of 2-step nilpotent groups is axiomatizable by the group laws plus finitely many other identities. (With some work, the desired identity can be found: $\forall x\forall y\forall z(zx^{-1}y^{-1}xy=x^{-1}y^{-1}xyz)$.)
Feb 15
We discussed the use of language expansion to understand the structure of ultraproducts. We used the method to show that (i) the ultraproduct of the sets $\{0,1\}^n$, $n\in \omega$, over a nonprincipal ultrafilter on $\omega$ has size $2^{\omega}$, (ii) any ultraproduct of nonsimple groups is nonsimple, (iii) an ultrapower of the ordered field $\mathbb R$ over a nonprincipal ultrafilter on $\omega$ is nonarchimedian. Then we began a discussion of regular ultrafilters.
Feb 17
We finished discussing regular ultrafilters, and then turned to discussing when the diagonal embedding into an ultrapower, $\Delta\colon \mathbb A\to \prod_{\mathcal U} \mathbb A$, is surjective. This led to a discussion of $\kappa$-complete ultrafilters.
Feb 19
We definitely defined definable. We also defined $\textrm{tp}^{\mathbb A}(\bar{a}/X)$. Among our examples, we noted that $\mathbb C$ with conjugation (in the language of fields with an automorphism) is definable in $\mathbb R$ (in the language of fields), and conversely $\mathbb R$ is definable in $\mathbb C$ with conjugation.
Feb 22
We defined interpretable, and showed that the projective plane over a finite field $\mathbb F$ is interpretable in affine 3-space over $\mathbb F$. We turned back to types and made a number of remarks, including the definitions of partial type versus complete type, quantifier-free type, and elementary embedding.
Feb 24
We defined elementary substructure and elementary extension, and noted that if [$\mathbb C\prec \mathbb B$] then [$\mathbb C\leq \mathbb B$ and $\mathbb C\equiv \mathbb B$] but not conversely. I raised the question of when a field extension is elementary. We defined the diagram language (${\mathcal L}_A$), diagram expansion ($\mathbb A_A$), atomic diagram ($\textrm{Diag}(\mathbb A)$), and elementary diagram ($\textrm{Th}(\mathbb A_A)$) of a structure $\mathbb A$. We talked about the Diagram Lemma and some corollaries, namely the fact that the elementary extensions of $\mathbb A$ are the $\mathcal L$-reducts of the models of the elementary diagram of $\mathbb A$ and the fact that every infinite structure has arbitrarily large elementary extensions.
Feb 26
We discussed an upcoming sequence of theorems aimed at understanding the structure the category of models of a complete theory under elementary embeddings. The theorems were: the Tarski-Vaught Criterion (for testing if a substructure is elementary), the upward and downward Löwenheim-Skolem Theorems (for size control of elementary extensions), the Robinson Consistency Theorem (for finitary type unification), Tarski's Theorem on Elementary Chains (for infinitary type unification), and the idea of a saturated elementary extension.
Feb 29
We established the validity of the Tarski-Vaught Test, the Löwenheim-Skolem Theorems, and the Łos-Vaught Test.
Mar 2
We expanded on the previous lecture by discussing Skolemization, categoricity, and the back and forth method. We sketched a proof that the theory of dense linear orders without endpoints is $\omega$-categorical.
Mar 4
We discussed the uncountable categoricity of the theories $\textrm{ACF}_0$ and $\textrm{ACF}_p$. We proved the elementary joint embedding property. We derived the Robinson Joint Consistency Theorem from the Craig Interpolation Theorem.
Mar 7
We proved the Elementary Chain Principle. We discussed several preservation theorems, including the preservation theorems of Łos and Tarski (about $\Pi_1$ axiomatizations and $\Sigma_1$ axiomatizations), Lyndon's Preservation Theorem (about positive axiomatizations), and the Chang-Łos-Suszko Theorem (about $\Pi_2$ axiomatizations).
Mar 9
We proved the Łos-Tarski about $\Pi_1$ axiomatizations. We defined type, what it means to realize or omit a type, and weakly saturated model. We discussed what is known about the number of countably infinite models of a complete theory in a countable language. (It is known that this number lies in the interval $[0,2^{\omega}]$, that it cannot be $2$, that it cannot be any uncountable cardinal other than $\omega_1$ or $2^{\omega}$, but it can be any finite cardinal other than $2$, and it can be $\omega$ or $2^{\omega}$. It is open whether it can be $\omega_1$.) Our discussion referred to Vaught's ``Never Two'' Theorem, Morley's Theorem and Vaught's Conjecture.
Mar 11
We discussed Ehrenfeucht's models and defined what it means for a theory to have quantifier elimination.
Mar 14
We discussed q.e. for the theory of Ehrenfeucht's example.
Mar 16
We finished discussing q.e. for the theory of Ehrenfeucht's example, and explained why this theory is complete.
Mar 18
We discussed a model-theoretic method for establishing q.e., namely Theorem 3.1.4.
Mar 28
We defined type spaces and some continuous maps between them.
Mar 30
We discussed realizing and omitting types, focusing today on realizing types.
Apr 1
We defined supported/isolated (partial) types, and showed that a supported type compatible with complete theory $T$ is realized in every model of $T$. We gave an example of a theory $T$ and an unsupported type $p\in S_n(T)$ that is realized in every model.
Apr 4
We started the proof that a Henkin Theory has a Henkin model.
Apr 6
We finished the proof that a Henkin Theory has a Henkin model and started the proof of the omitting types theorem.
Apr 8
We finished the proof of the omitting types theorem, stated in the following form: let $\mathcal L$ be a countable language and let $T$ be a satisfiable $\mathcal L$-theory. If $M_n\subseteq S_n(T)$ is a meager set for each $n\lt\omega$, then $T$ has a model omitting all complete types in each $M_n$ for all $n$. We closed the lecture by defining atomic models and theories.
Apr 11
Call a theory an X-theory if it is a complete satisfiable theory in a countable language. We proved that an X-theory is atomic iff it has an atomic model. Then we proved that a model of an X-theory is prime iff it is countable and atomic. We then explained why prime models of X-theories are unique up to isomorphism, and why two $n$-tuples in such a model have the same type iff they differ by an automorphism.
Apr 13
We discussed perfect and scattered (sub)spaces and the Cantor-Bendixson Theorem.
Apr 15
We proved that if $X$ is a second countable Stone space with perfect kernel $P$ and $I$ is the subspace of isolated points, then $X = \overline{I}\cup P$. In particular, if $X$ is scattered, then its isolated points are dense. We then observed that: $|X|\lt 2^{\aleph_0}$ implies $X$ is scattered. Turning to type spaces we observed that $I(T,\aleph_0)\lt 2^{\aleph_0}$ implies $|S_n(T)|\lt 2^{\aleph_0}$ for each $n$, which implies isolated types in $S_n(T)$ are dense for every $n$. We concluded by characterizing the $\aleph_0$-categorical complete theories in a countable language as those where $|S_n(T)|<\aleph_0$ for all $n$.
Apr 18
We explained why $\textrm{Th}(\mathbb A)$ is $\aleph_0$-categorical iff $\textrm{Aut}(\mathbb A)$ is oligomorphic. We gave some examples of countably infinite structures with $\aleph_0$-categorical theories ($\langle \omega; \emptyset\rangle$, $\langle {\mathbb Q}; \lt\rangle$, a countably infinite vector space over a finite field, a countably infinite $G$-set where $|G|<\omega$). We began discussing the random graph.
Apr 20
We defined the ``extension axioms'' for graph theory. We proved that the theory axiomatized by these axioms is complete, $\aleph_0$-categorical, and has quantifier elimination. We call the countably infinite model the random graph. We showed that the random graph is ultrahomogeneous and universal. Part of our arguments established the general fact that the theory of an ultrahomogeneous $\aleph_0$-categorical structure has quantifier elimination. We ended the lecture by noting that the expansion of an $\aleph_0$-categorical structure by naming finitely many elements with new constants is again $\aleph_0$-categorical. The reverse is also true: any reduct of an $\aleph_0$-categorical structure is again $\aleph_0$-categorical.
Apr 22
We defined $\kappa$-saturated structures and proved the equivalence of two definitions (one using $S^{\mathbb A}_n(U)$ and the other using $S^{\mathbb A}_1(U)$).
Apr 25
We explained why any infinite structure in a language of cardinality $\leq\kappa$ has a $\kappa^+$-saturated elementary extension of cardinality at most $|A|^{\kappa}$. We proved that two elementarily equivalent saturated structures of the same cardinality are isomorphic.
Apr 27
We reviewed saturation and $\kappa$-saturation, and noted that it is possible for two elementarily equivalent $\kappa$-saturated structures of the same cardinality to be nonisomorphic. We then proved that if $T$ is a complete satisfiable theory in a countable language, then $T$ has a countable saturated model iff $|S_n(T)|\leq \aleph_0$ for all $n$. ($T$ is small.) Hence $I(T,\aleph_0)\leq\aleph_0$ $\Longrightarrow$ $T$ has a countable saturated model $\Longleftrightarrow$ $|S_n(T)|\leq \aleph_0$ for all $n$ $\Longrightarrow$ $T$ is atomic $\Longleftrightarrow$ $T$ has a countable atomic model. We argued that $T$ is $\aleph_0$-categorical iff $T$ has a countable model that is atomic and saturated. We started on the proof of Vaught's ``Never Two'' Theorem, which asserts that $I(T,\aleph_0)\neq 2$ whene $T$ is a complete theory in a countable language.
Apr 29
We finished the proof of Vaught's ``Never Two'' Theorem. We discussed what to read next.