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  4. On The Complexity Of Mathematical Problems: Medvedev Degrees And Reverse Mathematics

On The Complexity Of Mathematical Problems: Medvedev Degrees And Reverse Mathematics

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pes25.pdf (796.61 KB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/30770
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Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Shafer, Paul
Abstract

We investigate the complexity of mathematical problems from two perspectives: Medvedev degrees and reverse mathematics. In the Medvedev degrees, we calculate the complexity of its first-order theory, and we also calculate the complexities of the first-order theories of several related structures. We characterize the join-irreducible Medvedev degrees and deduce several consequences for the interpretation of propositional logic in the Medvedev degrees. We equate the size of chains of Medvedev degrees with the size of chains of sets of reals under ⊆. In reverse mathematics, we analyze the strength of classical theorems of finite graph theory generalized to the countable. In particular, we consider Menger's theorem, Birkhoff's theorem, and unfriendly partitions.

Date Issued
2011-08-31
Keywords
mass problems
•
Medvedev degrees
•
reverse mathematics
Committee Chair
Shore, Richard A
Committee Member
Nerode, Anil
Kozen, Dexter Campbell
Degree Discipline
Mathematics
Degree Name
Ph. D., Mathematics
Degree Level
Doctor of Philosophy
Type
dissertation or thesis

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