Metamathematics of First-Order Arithmetic (Perspectives in Mathematical Logic) - Softcover

Hajek, Petr; Pudlak, Pavel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 354063648X ISBN 13: 9783540636489

Publisher: Springer, 1998

Synopsis

People have always been interested in numbers, in particular the natural numbers. Of course, we all have an intuitive notion of what these numbers are. In the late 19th century mathematicians, such as Grassmann, Frege and Dedekind, gave definitions for these familiar objects. Since then the development of axiomatic schemes for arithmetic have played a fundamental role in a logical understanding of mathematics. There has been a need for some time for a monograph on the metamathematics of first-order arithmetic. The aim of the book by Hajek and Pudlak is to cover some of the most important results in the study of a first order theory of the natural numbers, called Peano arithmetic and its fragments (subtheories). The field is quite active, but only a small part of the results has been covered in monographs. This book is divided into three parts. In Part A, the authors develop parts of mathematics and logic in various fragments. Part B is devoted to incompleteness. Part C studies systems that have the induction schema restricted to bounded formulas (Bounded Arithmetic). One highlight of this section is the relation of provability to computational complexity. The study of formal systems for arithmetic is a prerequisite for understanding results such as Gödel's theorems. This book is intended for those who want to learn more about such systems and who want to follow current research in the field. The book contains a bibliography of approximately 1000 items.

About this title

Book Description:

This much-needed monograph on the metamathematics of first-order arithmetic pays particular attention to subsystems (fragments) of Peano arithmetic and gives the reader a deeper understanding of the role of the axiom schema of induction and of the phenomenon of incompleteness.

From the Back Cover:

From the reviews: ..."This work is a very important contribution to the logical literature. It gives a survey of an incredible number of results and methods in the foundations of arithmetic, presented in a clear and systematic way. It will certainly be highly appreciated by specialists working in the field." Mathematical Reviews, USA 1994 ..."It is really a highly interesting book - a survey of a large amount of results presented in a systematic and clear way. It will serve as a source of information for those who want to learn meta-mathematics of first-order arithmetic as well as a reference book for people working in this field." Zentralblatt für Mathematik und Ihre Grenzgebiete, 781.1994.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 354063648X
• ISBN 13: 9783540636489
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 474