What exactly is a formula in set theory?












1












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I've taken a look at this: Set theory formula



But I'm still a little confused. Is the formula supposed to take x, y, z as input and produce "TRUE" as an output? Are all set theory formula's TRUE?










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$endgroup$

















    1












    $begingroup$


    I've taken a look at this: Set theory formula



    But I'm still a little confused. Is the formula supposed to take x, y, z as input and produce "TRUE" as an output? Are all set theory formula's TRUE?










    share|cite|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      1












      1








      1





      $begingroup$


      I've taken a look at this: Set theory formula



      But I'm still a little confused. Is the formula supposed to take x, y, z as input and produce "TRUE" as an output? Are all set theory formula's TRUE?










      share|cite|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      I've taken a look at this: Set theory formula



      But I'm still a little confused. Is the formula supposed to take x, y, z as input and produce "TRUE" as an output? Are all set theory formula's TRUE?







      set-theory first-order-logic






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      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question








      edited Dec 6 '18 at 16:25









      Andrés E. Caicedo

      65.4k8158248




      65.4k8158248










      asked Dec 6 '18 at 11:22









      l3utterflyl3utterfly

      1224




      1224






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

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          2












          $begingroup$

          A formula is an expression of the language of set theory built up acoording to the rules of the syntax.



          Examples : $∃y ∀x ¬(x ∈ y), ∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$.



          A formula can be a sentence, i.e. without free variables (like the two previous examples) ore an open one, like e.g. : $(x∈y)$.



          A sentence has a definite truth value : $∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$ means "the empty set has no elements" and it is true in set theory.



          An open formula, like $(x∈y)$ has not a definite truth value; its truth value depends on the "reference" assigned to the variables.



          Consider some simple arithmetical examples : $forall n (n ge 0)$ is true in $mathbb N$.



          Consider $(n > 0)$ instead : it is false if $n$ denotes $0$ and is true otherwise.





          For a formal definition, see the post : In Mathematical Logic, What is a Language?






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$





















            2












            $begingroup$

            Put simply in the language of set theory we start with atomic formulas
            $$(xin y)$$
            or
            $$(x=y)$$
            where $x$ and $y$ are variables.



            Then we expand the definition of formulas to so that it is closed under $$neg(cdot)$$ and $$(cdot)wedge(cdot)$$ and $$(exists x)(cdot)$$ where $x$ is a variable.



            Then we introduce the following notations.



            $$(varphiveepsi)equivneg(negvarphiwedgenegpsi)$$
            $$(varphiRightarrowpsi)equivnegvarphiveepsi$$
            $$(varphiLeftrightarrowpsi)equiv(varphiRightarrowpsi)wedge(psiRightarrowvarphi)$$
            $$(forall x)varphiequivneg(exists x)negvarphi$$



            We take variables, punctuations, $=$, $in$, $neg$, $wedge$, $exists$ as primitive notions. That is to say, they are undefined symbols which are informally trying to capture the notion of variables, punctuations, equality, membership, negation, conjunction, existential quantifier. Establishing a collection of axioms is how we try to capture desired notions.



            Let me speak in the language of set theory:



            $$(exists x)(neg(x=x))$$



            What I just said is false because of established axioms of set theory; most popular being $mathsf{ZFC}$.



            Let $varphi$ be an arbitrary formula. Then certain variables within $varphi$ are "free." We typically denote those variables by writing $varphi(x_1,ldots,x_n)$ instead of simply $varphi$.






            share|cite|improve this answer











            $endgroup$













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              2 Answers
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              active

              oldest

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              2 Answers
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              2












              $begingroup$

              A formula is an expression of the language of set theory built up acoording to the rules of the syntax.



              Examples : $∃y ∀x ¬(x ∈ y), ∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$.



              A formula can be a sentence, i.e. without free variables (like the two previous examples) ore an open one, like e.g. : $(x∈y)$.



              A sentence has a definite truth value : $∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$ means "the empty set has no elements" and it is true in set theory.



              An open formula, like $(x∈y)$ has not a definite truth value; its truth value depends on the "reference" assigned to the variables.



              Consider some simple arithmetical examples : $forall n (n ge 0)$ is true in $mathbb N$.



              Consider $(n > 0)$ instead : it is false if $n$ denotes $0$ and is true otherwise.





              For a formal definition, see the post : In Mathematical Logic, What is a Language?






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$


















                2












                $begingroup$

                A formula is an expression of the language of set theory built up acoording to the rules of the syntax.



                Examples : $∃y ∀x ¬(x ∈ y), ∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$.



                A formula can be a sentence, i.e. without free variables (like the two previous examples) ore an open one, like e.g. : $(x∈y)$.



                A sentence has a definite truth value : $∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$ means "the empty set has no elements" and it is true in set theory.



                An open formula, like $(x∈y)$ has not a definite truth value; its truth value depends on the "reference" assigned to the variables.



                Consider some simple arithmetical examples : $forall n (n ge 0)$ is true in $mathbb N$.



                Consider $(n > 0)$ instead : it is false if $n$ denotes $0$ and is true otherwise.





                For a formal definition, see the post : In Mathematical Logic, What is a Language?






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$
















                  2












                  2








                  2





                  $begingroup$

                  A formula is an expression of the language of set theory built up acoording to the rules of the syntax.



                  Examples : $∃y ∀x ¬(x ∈ y), ∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$.



                  A formula can be a sentence, i.e. without free variables (like the two previous examples) ore an open one, like e.g. : $(x∈y)$.



                  A sentence has a definite truth value : $∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$ means "the empty set has no elements" and it is true in set theory.



                  An open formula, like $(x∈y)$ has not a definite truth value; its truth value depends on the "reference" assigned to the variables.



                  Consider some simple arithmetical examples : $forall n (n ge 0)$ is true in $mathbb N$.



                  Consider $(n > 0)$ instead : it is false if $n$ denotes $0$ and is true otherwise.





                  For a formal definition, see the post : In Mathematical Logic, What is a Language?






                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  A formula is an expression of the language of set theory built up acoording to the rules of the syntax.



                  Examples : $∃y ∀x ¬(x ∈ y), ∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$.



                  A formula can be a sentence, i.e. without free variables (like the two previous examples) ore an open one, like e.g. : $(x∈y)$.



                  A sentence has a definite truth value : $∀x ¬(x ∈ emptyset)$ means "the empty set has no elements" and it is true in set theory.



                  An open formula, like $(x∈y)$ has not a definite truth value; its truth value depends on the "reference" assigned to the variables.



                  Consider some simple arithmetical examples : $forall n (n ge 0)$ is true in $mathbb N$.



                  Consider $(n > 0)$ instead : it is false if $n$ denotes $0$ and is true otherwise.





                  For a formal definition, see the post : In Mathematical Logic, What is a Language?







                  share|cite|improve this answer














                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer








                  edited Dec 16 '18 at 12:53

























                  answered Dec 6 '18 at 11:44









                  Mauro ALLEGRANZAMauro ALLEGRANZA

                  65.8k449114




                  65.8k449114























                      2












                      $begingroup$

                      Put simply in the language of set theory we start with atomic formulas
                      $$(xin y)$$
                      or
                      $$(x=y)$$
                      where $x$ and $y$ are variables.



                      Then we expand the definition of formulas to so that it is closed under $$neg(cdot)$$ and $$(cdot)wedge(cdot)$$ and $$(exists x)(cdot)$$ where $x$ is a variable.



                      Then we introduce the following notations.



                      $$(varphiveepsi)equivneg(negvarphiwedgenegpsi)$$
                      $$(varphiRightarrowpsi)equivnegvarphiveepsi$$
                      $$(varphiLeftrightarrowpsi)equiv(varphiRightarrowpsi)wedge(psiRightarrowvarphi)$$
                      $$(forall x)varphiequivneg(exists x)negvarphi$$



                      We take variables, punctuations, $=$, $in$, $neg$, $wedge$, $exists$ as primitive notions. That is to say, they are undefined symbols which are informally trying to capture the notion of variables, punctuations, equality, membership, negation, conjunction, existential quantifier. Establishing a collection of axioms is how we try to capture desired notions.



                      Let me speak in the language of set theory:



                      $$(exists x)(neg(x=x))$$



                      What I just said is false because of established axioms of set theory; most popular being $mathsf{ZFC}$.



                      Let $varphi$ be an arbitrary formula. Then certain variables within $varphi$ are "free." We typically denote those variables by writing $varphi(x_1,ldots,x_n)$ instead of simply $varphi$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer











                      $endgroup$


















                        2












                        $begingroup$

                        Put simply in the language of set theory we start with atomic formulas
                        $$(xin y)$$
                        or
                        $$(x=y)$$
                        where $x$ and $y$ are variables.



                        Then we expand the definition of formulas to so that it is closed under $$neg(cdot)$$ and $$(cdot)wedge(cdot)$$ and $$(exists x)(cdot)$$ where $x$ is a variable.



                        Then we introduce the following notations.



                        $$(varphiveepsi)equivneg(negvarphiwedgenegpsi)$$
                        $$(varphiRightarrowpsi)equivnegvarphiveepsi$$
                        $$(varphiLeftrightarrowpsi)equiv(varphiRightarrowpsi)wedge(psiRightarrowvarphi)$$
                        $$(forall x)varphiequivneg(exists x)negvarphi$$



                        We take variables, punctuations, $=$, $in$, $neg$, $wedge$, $exists$ as primitive notions. That is to say, they are undefined symbols which are informally trying to capture the notion of variables, punctuations, equality, membership, negation, conjunction, existential quantifier. Establishing a collection of axioms is how we try to capture desired notions.



                        Let me speak in the language of set theory:



                        $$(exists x)(neg(x=x))$$



                        What I just said is false because of established axioms of set theory; most popular being $mathsf{ZFC}$.



                        Let $varphi$ be an arbitrary formula. Then certain variables within $varphi$ are "free." We typically denote those variables by writing $varphi(x_1,ldots,x_n)$ instead of simply $varphi$.






                        share|cite|improve this answer











                        $endgroup$
















                          2












                          2








                          2





                          $begingroup$

                          Put simply in the language of set theory we start with atomic formulas
                          $$(xin y)$$
                          or
                          $$(x=y)$$
                          where $x$ and $y$ are variables.



                          Then we expand the definition of formulas to so that it is closed under $$neg(cdot)$$ and $$(cdot)wedge(cdot)$$ and $$(exists x)(cdot)$$ where $x$ is a variable.



                          Then we introduce the following notations.



                          $$(varphiveepsi)equivneg(negvarphiwedgenegpsi)$$
                          $$(varphiRightarrowpsi)equivnegvarphiveepsi$$
                          $$(varphiLeftrightarrowpsi)equiv(varphiRightarrowpsi)wedge(psiRightarrowvarphi)$$
                          $$(forall x)varphiequivneg(exists x)negvarphi$$



                          We take variables, punctuations, $=$, $in$, $neg$, $wedge$, $exists$ as primitive notions. That is to say, they are undefined symbols which are informally trying to capture the notion of variables, punctuations, equality, membership, negation, conjunction, existential quantifier. Establishing a collection of axioms is how we try to capture desired notions.



                          Let me speak in the language of set theory:



                          $$(exists x)(neg(x=x))$$



                          What I just said is false because of established axioms of set theory; most popular being $mathsf{ZFC}$.



                          Let $varphi$ be an arbitrary formula. Then certain variables within $varphi$ are "free." We typically denote those variables by writing $varphi(x_1,ldots,x_n)$ instead of simply $varphi$.






                          share|cite|improve this answer











                          $endgroup$



                          Put simply in the language of set theory we start with atomic formulas
                          $$(xin y)$$
                          or
                          $$(x=y)$$
                          where $x$ and $y$ are variables.



                          Then we expand the definition of formulas to so that it is closed under $$neg(cdot)$$ and $$(cdot)wedge(cdot)$$ and $$(exists x)(cdot)$$ where $x$ is a variable.



                          Then we introduce the following notations.



                          $$(varphiveepsi)equivneg(negvarphiwedgenegpsi)$$
                          $$(varphiRightarrowpsi)equivnegvarphiveepsi$$
                          $$(varphiLeftrightarrowpsi)equiv(varphiRightarrowpsi)wedge(psiRightarrowvarphi)$$
                          $$(forall x)varphiequivneg(exists x)negvarphi$$



                          We take variables, punctuations, $=$, $in$, $neg$, $wedge$, $exists$ as primitive notions. That is to say, they are undefined symbols which are informally trying to capture the notion of variables, punctuations, equality, membership, negation, conjunction, existential quantifier. Establishing a collection of axioms is how we try to capture desired notions.



                          Let me speak in the language of set theory:



                          $$(exists x)(neg(x=x))$$



                          What I just said is false because of established axioms of set theory; most popular being $mathsf{ZFC}$.



                          Let $varphi$ be an arbitrary formula. Then certain variables within $varphi$ are "free." We typically denote those variables by writing $varphi(x_1,ldots,x_n)$ instead of simply $varphi$.







                          share|cite|improve this answer














                          share|cite|improve this answer



                          share|cite|improve this answer








                          edited Dec 6 '18 at 14:09

























                          answered Dec 6 '18 at 13:49









                          Alberto TakaseAlberto Takase

                          2,025417




                          2,025417






























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