Preservation properties are a tool for separating the reverse mathematical strength of various statements. As an example, if $I$ is a Turing ideal and $X$ is a set outside $I$, then there is an ideal $J$ containing $I$ but omitting $X$ and which models WKL$_0$. The same holds with RT$^2_2$ in place of WKL$_0$, but this fails for RT$^3_2$, thus showing that WKL$_0$ and RT$^2_2$ do not prove RT$^3_2$.
In fact, for both WKL$_0$ and RT$^2_2$, the above holds not just for a single set $X$, but for countably many sets simultaneously. In both cases, the proofs for one set and for countably many sets are more or less the same. It turns out there's a reason for this: any reverse mathematical principal (of the appropriate form) which can be satisfied while avoiding a single set can be satisfied while avoiding countably many.
This is an example of a relationship between preservation properties. We investigate similar relationships between various preservation properties.
Logic and Computation Seminar
Monday, January 20, 2020 - 3:30pm
Dan Turetsky
Victoria University of Wellington