Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 128 1 a iii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
A condensation sentence for the constructible hierarchy may be obtained by taking a single conjunction that expresses a sufficiently strong finite fragment of set theory, the assertion , and that the ordinals have no largest member. The finite fragment is chosen strong enough to define the satisfaction relation needed for the -construction and to prove its absoluteness for transitive sets.
If a transitive set satisfies , let . The absence of a largest ordinal makes a limit ordinal. Internal says every belongs to some internally constructed , while transitivity and absoluteness identify that level with the actual . Conversely the finite closure axioms ensure that every , , belongs to . Hence .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 128 1 b i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Choose a successor ordinal , and then choose a limit ordinal . The level satisfies the condensation sentence for the constructible hierarchy. The level cannot satisfy it: otherwise condensation would give for a limit , butwould imply the impossible equality . Thus the condensation sentence belongs to but not to , and .