Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 23 2 b Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Let denote the universal consequences of a theory: all universal first-order sentences entailed by . A first-order structure satisfies exactly when it embeds into a model of , by the compactness theorem applied to its diagram of a structure.
The theory has algebraically prime models if, for every , there are and a structure embedding such that every structure embedding , , factors as for some structure embedding . Neither nor is required to be elementary.
For , simple closure means that every existential quantifier-free formula over which has a witness in has one in :Now take two models with common substructure . Since embeds into , it satisfies . Choose its algebraically prime extension , and embed into both and over .
If holds in , the image of in is a model of . The assumed simple closure of this image transfers a witness from into . Its embedding into then transfers the quantifier-free formula and its witness into . Thus the hypothesis of QET1 is satisfied. The second test follows: has quantifier elimination.
This first-order theory has as models the nonzero torsion-free divisible Abelian groups. Rational division equips them with the structure of vector spaces over the rational numbers. A rational divisible hull gives an algebraically prime extension of each nonzero torsion-free base, while the zero base uses a one-dimensional rational space.