Boolean prime ideal theorem 2026-10-14
Every proper lattice ideal of a Boolean algebra extends to a prime lattice ideal. More generally, an ideal disjoint from a lattice filter extends to a prime ideal still disjoint from that filter. This Boolean case of the Stone prime filter theorem is equivalent to the ultrafilter lemma over Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory and is weaker than the axiom of choice.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 120 3 c Solution 2026-09-28
The Stone prime filter theorem says that if a lattice filter and a lattice ideal of a distributive lattice are disjoint, then there is a prime filter of a distributive lattice such thatEquivalently, whenever , there is a prime filter containing and omitting .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 120 3 d Solution Created 2026-09-28 Updated 2026-10-03
For a prime filter , first suppose . If and , then andso . Thus no prime filter above belongs to , and
Conversely, suppose . The lattice filter generated by is disjoint from the principal lattice ideal . Indeed, an intersection would give some with , whence and then , a contradiction. The Stone prime filter theorem therefore extends this filter to a prime filter that omits . Then , so .
Stone map of a distributive lattice 2026-09-28
The Stone map sends an element of a distributive lattice to the clopen up-set of its Priestley dual space. The Stone prime filter theorem makes this lattice homomorphism injective.