Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2008 iii Paper 27 5 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Here is the first incompleteness theorem in its modern consistency form: every consistent computably enumerable theory extending Robinson arithmetic is incomplete. The original Gödel sentence proof assumes omega-consistency to obtain both unprovabilities; we give that proof and the strengthening that removes this assumption. We also give the second incompleteness conclusion for theories extending Peano arithmetic.
First arithmetize syntax. Code strings and finite derivations by natural numbers. If the axioms of are merely computably enumerable, include the finite enumeration certificate for each nonlogical axiom used in a proof. The resulting proof-checking relation is primitive recursive. Finite strings and computation histories are coded by finite sequences, with bounded local verification of every step; these give arithmetic formulas representing the coding operations. In Robinson arithmetic every true or false instance with fixed numeral inputs is provable with the appropriate sign. Set
The diagonal lemma gives, for any formula , a sentence with . To see the construction, let be the computable syntactic operation substituting the numeral for into the formula coded by . Form the formula , interpreting the displayed coding function through its arithmetic representation, and let . Then , and . The representation proves that fixed computation, giving the asserted equivalence.
Apply the diagonal lemma to , obtainingIf , an actual finite proof has code , so proves its proof-checking instance and proves . The fixed-point equivalence gives its negation, contradicting consistency. Hence . For each standard numeral , proves because there is no such proof. If , the equivalence gives , contrary to omega-consistency. Thus the original proof gives two unprovabilities under that hypothesis. It also shows that is true in the standard natural numbers when is consistent.
For consistency alone use the Rosser sentenceIf with code , consistency excludes every proof of . In particular the finitely many codes all fail their primitive recursive proof tests. Robinson arithmetic verifies those finitely many failures and the actual proof at , and hence proves , a contradiction. If with code , consistency excludes every proof of . For , Robinson arithmetic verifies all the finitely many failed proof tests. For , it verifies that is a proof of with . The elementary arithmetic dichotomy between and therefore proves the entire displayed condition, hence , again a contradiction. Thus
For the Gödel second incompleteness theorem, now assume and use its ordinary certified proof predicate. PA formalizes proof concatenation and the verification of a coded proof, giving the derivability conditions: if then ; and inside ,The first internal implication is certified by combining two proofs; the second is certified by producing the arithmetic proof that a given finite proof passes its check, with existential introduction. Apply them to . From , the two internal implications yield provability of both and its negation, and hence provability of . ConsequentlyA proof of this consistency sentence in a consistent would prove , which the first argument excludes. Therefore . This concerns the standard arithmetic consistency sentence and the stated effective, arithmetic hypotheses; it is not a prohibition on proving consistency in a stronger theory.