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Encyclopedia > Axiom system

In mathematics, an axiomatic system is any set of axioms from which some or all axioms can be used in conjunction to logically derive theorems. A mathematical theory consists of an axiomatic system and all its derived theorems. An axiomatic system that is completely described is a special kind of formal system; usually though the effort towards complete formalisation brings diminishing returns in certainty, and a lack of readability for humans. Therefore discussion of axiomatic systems is normally only semi-formal. A formal theory typically means an axiomatic system, for example formulated within model theory. A formal proof is a complete rendition of a proof within a formal system. Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space and change. ... The notion of a set is one of the most important and fundamental concepts in modern mathematics. ... Axiom - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A theorem is a proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions. ... In mathematics, theory is used informally to refer to a body of knowledge about mathematics. ... In logic, mathematics, and computer science, a formal system is a formal grammar used for modelling purposes. ... In mathematics, model theory is the study of the representation of mathematical concepts in terms of set theory, or the study of the models which underlie mathematical systems. ... The word proof can mean: originally, a test assessing the validity or quality of something. ...

Contents


Properties

An axiomatic system is said to be consistent if it lacks contradiction, i.e. the ability to derive both a statement and its negation from the system's axioms.


In an axiomatic system, an axiom is called independent if it is not a theorem that can be derived from other axioms in the system. A system will be called independent if each of its underlying axioms is independent.


Although independence is not a necessary requirement for a system, consistency is. An axiomatic system will be called complete if no additional axiom can be added to the system without making the new system either dependent or inconsistent.


Models

A mathematical model for an axiomatic system is a well-defined set, which assigns meaning for the undefined terms presented in the system, in a manner that is correct with the relations defined in the system. The existence of a concrete model* proves the consistency of a system. In mathematics, model theory is the study of the representation of mathematical concepts in terms of set theory, or the study of the models which underlie mathematical systems. ... The notion of a set is one of the most important and fundamental concepts in modern mathematics. ...


Models can also be used to show the independence of an axiom in the system. By constructing a valid model for a subsystem without a specific axiom, we show that the omitted axiom is independent if its correctness does not necessarily follow from the subsystem.


Two models are said to be isomorphic if a one-to-one correspondence can be found between their elements, in a manner that preserves their relationship. An axiomatic system for which every model is isomorphic to another is called categorial, and the property of categoriality ensures the completeness of a system. In mathematics, an isomorphism (in Greek isos = equal and morphe = shape) is a kind of interesting mapping between objects. ...


* A model is called concrete if the meanings assigned are objects and relations from the real world, as opposed to an abstract model which is based on other axiomatic systems.


The first axiomatic system was Euclidean geometry. In mathematics, Euclidean geometry is the familiar kind of geometry on the plane or in three dimensions. ...


Axiomatic method

The axiomatic method is often discussed as if it were a unitary approach, or uniform procedure. With the example of Euclid to appeal to, it was indeed treated that way for many centuries: up until the beginning of the nineteenth century it was generally assumed, in European mathematics and philosophy (for example in Spinoza's work) that the heritage of Greek mathematics represented the highest standard of intellectual finish (development more geometrico, in the style of the geometers). Euclid of Alexandria (Greek: ) (circa 365–275 BC) was a Greek mathematician, now known as the father of geometry. He was probably alive during the reign of Ptolemy I, (306-233 B.C.E). ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Baruch Spinoza Benedictus de Spinoza (November 24, 1632 - February 21, 1677), named Baruch Spinoza by his synagogue elders and known as Bento de Spinoza or Bento dEspiñoza in the community in which he grew up. ... Greek mathematics, as that term is used in this article, is the mathematics developed from the 6th century BC to the 5th century AD around the shores of the Mediterranean. ...


This traditional approach, in which axioms were supposed to be self-evident and so indisputable, was swept away during the course of the nineteenth century, by the development of Non-Euclidean geometry, the foundations of real analysis, Cantor's set theory and Frege's work on foundations, and Hilbert's 'new' use of axiomatic method as a research tool. For example, group theory was first put on an axiomatic basis towards the end of that century. Once the axioms were clarified (that inverse elements should be required, for example), the subject could proceed autonomously, without reference to the transformation group origins of those studies. The term non-Euclidean geometry (also spelled: non-Euclidian geometry) describes both hyperbolic and elliptic geometry, which are contrasted with Euclidean geometry. ... Real analysis is that branch of mathematical analysis dealing with the set of real numbers and functions of real numbers. ... The word Cantor can mean more than one thing: Cantor is another name for a Hazzan, a member of the Jewish clergy Cantor is the title of a member of a student society who is the main singer at a cantus Famous people named Cantor include: Eddie Cantor, singer & entertainer... Set theory is the mathematical theory of sets, which represent collections of abstract objects. ... Friedrich Ludwig Gottlob Frege Friedrich Ludwig Gottlob Frege (November 8, 1848 - July 26, 1925) was a German mathematician, logician, and philosopher who is regarded as a founder of both modern mathematical logic and analytic philosophy. ... David Hilbert David Hilbert (January 23, 1862 – February 14, 1943) was a German mathematician born in Wehlau, near Königsberg, Prussia (now Znamensk, near Kaliningrad, Russia) who is recognized as one of the most influential mathematicians of the 19th and early 20th centuries. ... Group theory is that branch of mathematics concerned with the study of groups. ... In mathematics, the inverse of an element x, with respect to an operation *, is an element x such that their compose gives a neutral element. ... The symmetry group of a geometric figure is the group of congruencies under which it is invariant, with composition as the operation. ...


Therefore there are at least three 'modes' of axiomatic method current in mathematics, and in the fields it influences. In caricature, possible attitudes are

  1. Accept my axioms and you must accept their consequences;
  2. I reject one of your axioms and accept extra models;
  3. My set of axioms defines a research programme.

The first case is the classic deductive method. The second goes by the slogan be wise, generalise; it may go along with the assumption that concepts can or should be expressed at some intrinsic 'natural level of generality'. The third was very prominent in the mathematics of the twentieth century, in particular in subjects based around homological algebra. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ... Homological algebra is the branch of mathematics which studies the methods of homology and cohomology in a general setting. ...


It is easy to see that the axiomatic method has limitations outside mathematics. For example, in political philosophy axioms that lead to unacceptable conclusions are likely to be rejected wholesale; so that no one really assents to version 1 above. Political philosophy is the study of the fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, property, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should...


See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
Axiomatic system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (825 words)
A mathematical theory consists of an axiomatic system and all its derived theorems.
An axiomatic system that is completely described is a special kind of formal system; usually though the effort towards complete formalisation brings diminishing returns in certainty, and a lack of readability for humans.
A model for an axiomatic system is a well-defined set, which assigns meaning for the undefined terms presented in the system, in a manner that is correct with the relations defined in the system.
axiom: Definition, Synonyms and Much More from Answers.com (3777 words)
Examples of axioms used widely in mathematics are those related to equality (e.g., “Two things equal to the same thing are equal to each other”; “If equals are added to equals, the sums are equal”) and those related to operations (e.g., the associative law and the commutative law).
An axiom is a sentence or proposition that is accepted as the first and last line of a one-line proof and is considered as obvious or as an initial necessary consensus for the theory building or acceptation.
The axioms are referred to as "4 + 1" because for nearly two millennia the fifth (parallel) postulate ("through a point outside a line there is exactly one parallel") was suspected of being derivable from the first four.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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