Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 23 5 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
We work with the usual infinite-model convention for an omega-categorical theory: it has a unique countably infinite model up to isomorphism. The three conditions are the type-space and automorphism formulations of the Ryll-Nardzewski theorem; the following arguments prove them rather than invoke that theorem. The standard hypothesis that has infinite models is understood. If finite models are allowed instead, uniqueness among models of size at most countable is the matching convention for condition (i).
We first prove (i) implies (ii). Suppose some type space were infinite. An infinite compact space cannot have every point isolated: its cover by singleton open sets would have no finite subcover. Thus it has a nonisolated complete type . The omitting types theorem gives a countable model omitting . On the other hand, compactness theorem gives a model realizing , and the Downward Lowenheim-Skolem theorem gives a countable elementary submodel containing its realizing tuple. These countable models cannot be isomorphic, since an isomorphism preserves realization of . This contradicts omega-categoricity. Hence every is finite.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 iii Paper 144 3 b Solution Created 2026-09-28 Updated 2026-10-03
Yes. By the Ryll-Nardzewski theorem, aleph-zero-categoricity of says that, for every , only finitely many -formulas in variables exist modulo equivalence over . The -formulas form a subcollection. Moreover, two -formulas are equivalent modulo exactly when their universal equivalence sentence belongs to , equivalently when it follows from . Thus there are only finitely many -formulas modulo in each arity. Applying Ryll-Nardzewski again proves that is aleph-zero-categorical. This is the reduct of an aleph-zero-categorical theory property.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 iii Paper 144 4 ii Solution 2026-09-28
Suppose first that is aleph-zero-categorical. If a type in some were nonisolated, the omitting types theorem would produce a countable model omitting it, while a countable elementary submodel of a model realizing it would be another countable model. This contradicts categoricity. Thus every type is isolated. The compact Stone space is then discrete and therefore finite.
Conversely, if every is finite, every type is isolated. Every countable model is consequently atomic, and part i says that any two countable models are isomorphic. This proves the Ryll-Nardzewski theorem.
Reduct of an aleph-zero-categorical theory 2026-09-28
Every reduct of an aleph-zero-categorical theory to a sublanguage is aleph-zero-categorical. There can only be fewer formulas in each arity, so the finite-formula characterization in the Ryll-Nardzewski theorem is preserved.