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Essentially-undecidable theory

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An algorithmically-undecidable logical theory, all consistent extensions of which are also undecidable (see Undecidability). An elementary theory is an essentially-undecidable theory if and only if every model of it has an undecidable elementary theory. Every complete undecidable theory is an essentially-undecidable theory, as is formal arithmetic (cf. Arithmetic, formal); no theory with a finite model can be an essentially-undecidable theory.

The essential undecidability of a suitable finitely-axiomatizable elementary theory is often used in proving the undecidability of a given theory (see [1], [2]). In this proof, is interpreted in any model of . The domain of interpretation and the values of the elements of the signature of are defined using values in the model of suitable formulas in the language of . If the interpretation is a model of , then is undecidable; moreover, this theory is hereditarily undecidable, i.e. all of its subtheories of the same signature as are undecidable. This method is used to prove the undecidability of elementary predicate logic, elementary group theory, elementary field theory, etc. Finitely-axiomatized formal arithmetic is often used as the essentially-undecidable theory .

References

[1] A. Tarski, A. Mostowski, R.M. Robinson, "Undecidable theories" , North-Holland (1953)
[2] Yu.L. Ershov, I.A. Lavrov, A.D. Taimanov, M.A. Taitslin, "Elementary theories" Russian Math. Surveys , 20 : 4 (1965) pp. 35–105 Uspekhi Mat. Nauk , 20 : 4 (1965) pp. 37–108
[3] S.C. Kleene, "Introduction to metamathematics" , North-Holland (1951)
How to Cite This Entry:
Essentially-undecidable theory. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Essentially-undecidable_theory&oldid=17241
This article was adapted from an original article by A.L. Semenov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article