Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / iii / Paper 24 / 5 / a

Use the countable-condition collapseordered by reverse inclusion: an extension of a function is a stronger condition. All sizes and conditions here are computed in the ground model $M$.

This forcing is countably closed: the union of a descending countable sequence is a countable partial function. Thus it adds no countable ordinal sequences and preserves ${\omega }_1$. For each $\xi <{\omega }_1$, the conditions whose domains contain $\xi$ are dense; for each $\eta <\kappa$, those whose ranges contain $\eta$ are dense. The union of the generic filter is therefore a surjection from ${\omega }_1$ onto $\kappa$, and $|\kappa {|}^{M[G]}={\aleph }_1$.

Inaccessibility gives ${\kappa }^{{\aleph }_0}=\kappa$: every countable sequence is bounded below the regular $\kappa$, and the strong limit cardinal property bounds the number of sequences at each bound below $\kappa$. Hence $|\mathbb{P}|=\kappa$. The forcing satisfies the ${\kappa }^{+}$-chain condition for forcing, so it preserves every cardinal above $\kappa$. This gives precisely the requested collapse and preservation. The assertion that $\kappa$ is collapsed to ${\aleph }_1$ concerns its new cardinality; the ordinal $\kappa$ itself does not change.

For an arbitrary ground model, this alternative needs an additional arithmetic hypothesis. The requested countable-cover property already prevents any collapse of an infinite ground-model cardinal. If a cardinal $\theta$ were collapsed, there would be a surjection $f:\alpha \to \theta$ with $|\alpha {|}^M<\theta$. The asserted ground-model $F$ would cover $\theta$ by the union of $|\alpha {|}^M$ countable sets, a ground-model set of size at most $\max ({\aleph }_0,|\alpha {|}^M)<\theta$, a contradiction. Thus all infinite cardinals are preserved.

Put $\lambda =({\aleph }_3{)}^M$, which must then remain ${\aleph }_3$. If the extension has continuum $\lambda$, it hasThe ground-model functions from $\omega$ into $\lambda$ remain present and their cardinality cannot be collapsed. NecessarilyFor example, a ground model with continuum larger than ${\aleph }_3$ cannot satisfy the printed request. This is a genuine missing hypothesis, rather than a forcing construction that works for every $M$.

Under the necessary hypothesis, use Cohen forcing to add $\lambda$ reals:The delta-system lemma shows that it has the countable chain condition for forcing: an uncountable family of finite conditions has an uncountable subfamily whose domains form a delta-system and whose values agree on its root, so any two of that subfamily are compatible. It therefore preserves cardinals. Its $\lambda$ coordinate reals are pairwise distinct by dense disagreement requirements. Conversely each nice forcing name for a real uses countably many countable antichains in a forcing order, so the number of such names is at most ${\lambda }^{{\aleph }_0}=\lambda$. HenceFor any ordinal-valued function name, choose for each $\xi <\alpha$ a maximal antichain in a forcing order deciding its value. The countable chain condition for forcing makes the set $F(\xi )$ of possible ordinal values countable in $M$. Pad it with $\omega$ if needed to make it countably infinite. The possible-values lemma for chain-condition forcing gives the stronger pointwise covering statementwhich implies the requested range inclusion. When a condition only forces that the name is such a function, make these choices below that condition; it belongs to the generic filter witnessing the actual function.

Use diamond-sequence forcing. A condition is a sequenceordered by end extension. Its countable descending chains have lower bounds: take their union and, if their lengths approach a new limit, add an arbitrary subset at that last index. Hence it is countably closed and preserves ${\omega }_1$. The union of the generic filter supplies $⟨A_{\xi }:\xi <{\omega }_1⟩$.

To prove the diamond principle, let a condition force that $\dot{X}\subseteq {\omega }_1$ and that $\dot{C}$ is a club set. Below any such condition build $p_n$ and strictly increasing countable ordinals ${\delta }_n$ so that ${\delta }_n>{\delta }_{p_n}$, $p_{n+1}$ forces ${\delta }_n\in \dot{C}$, decides $\dot{X}\cap {\delta }_n$, and has length past ${\delta }_n$. Unboundedness supplies ${\delta }_n$; countable closure allows deciding all the bits below it. The construction can be carried out in $M$.

Let $\delta ={\sup }_n{\delta }_n={\sup }_n{\delta }_{p_n}$. The union of the conditions has entries exactly below $\delta$ and decides a ground-model set $x=\dot{X}\cap \delta$. Extend that union by setting $A_{\delta }=x$. This condition forces $\delta \in \dot{C}$ by closure, and $A_{\delta }=\dot{X}\cap \delta$. The conditions giving a correct guess inside any named club set are therefore dense. ThusNo ground-model Continuum hypothesis is needed; this forcing is allowed to collapse higher cardinals.