On lightly and countably compact spaces in ZF

Abstract

Given a topological space X = (X, T ), we show in the Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory ZF that:

1. Every locally finite family of open sets of X is finite iff every pairwise disjoint, locally finite family of open sets is finite.

2. Every locally finite family of subsets of X is finite iff every pairwise disjoint, locally finite family of subsets of X is finite iff every locally finite family of closed subsets of X is finite.

3. The statement “every locally finite family of closed sets of X is finite” implies the proposition “every locally finite family of open sets of X is finite”. The converse holds true in case X is T₄ and the countable axiom of choice holds true.

   We also show:

4. It is relatively consistent with ZF the existence of a non countably compact T₁ space such that every pairwise disjoint locally finite family of closed subsets is finite but some locally finite family of subsets is infinite.

5. It is relatively consistent with ZF the existence of a countably compact T₄ space including an infinite pairwise disjoint locally finite family of open (resp. closed) sets.

     

ADDITIVE PROPERTIES OF SETS OF REAL NUMBERS AND AN INFINITE GAME

Abstract

1. If X has strong measure zero aid if Y is contained in an F _σ, set of measure zero, then X + Y has measure zero (Proposition 9).

2. If X is a measure zero set with property s ₀ and Y is a Sierpinski set, then X + Y has property s ₀ (Theorem 12).

3. If X is a meager set with property s ₀ and Y is a Lusin set, then X + Y has property s ₀ (Theorem 17).

An infinite game is introduced, motivated by additive properties of certain classes of sets of real numbers.     

On extensions of countable filterbases to ultrafilters and ultrafilter compactness

We show in the Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory ZF without the axiom of choice:

1. Given an infinite set X, the Stone space S(X) is ultrafilter compact.

2. For every infinite set X, every countable filterbase of X extends to an ultra-filter i? for every infinite set X, S(X) is countably compact.

3. ω has a free ultrafilter i? every countable, ultrafilter compact space is countably compact.

   We also show the following:

4. There are a permutation model 𝒩 and a set X ∈ 𝒩 such that X has no free ultrafilters and S(X) is not compact but S(X) is countably compact and every countable filterbase of X extends to an ultrafilter.

5. It is relatively consistent with ZF that every countable filterbase of ω extends to an ultrafilter but there exists a countable filterbase of ? which does not extend to an ultrafilter. Hence, it is relatively consistent with ZF that ? has free ultrafilters but there exists a countable filterbase of ? which does not extend to an ultrafilter.

     

Between associativity and commutativity

For any binary operation, four alternatives exist. It could be

1. (i) both commutative and associative;

2. (ii) neither commutative nor associative;

3. (iii) commutative but not associative;

4. (iv) associative but not commutative.

The basic arithmetical operations provide examples for the first two possibilities. This paper presents elementary examples for the last two possibilities. It is claimed that the study of these examples is extremely important in order to understand the logical independence of commutativity and associativity.     

New approach to optimal control of stochastic Volterra integral equations

ABSTRACT

We study optimal control of stochastic Volterra integral equations (SVIE) with jumps by using Hida-Malliavin calculus.

• We give conditions under which there exist unique solutions of such equations.

• Then we prove both a sufficient maximum principle (a verification theorem) and a necessary maximum principle via Hida-Malliavin calculus.

• As an application we solve a problem of optimal consumption from a cash flow modelled by an SVIE.

     

THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL NUMERACY STRATEGY IN YEAR 4 (II): TEACHING

The Nuffield Year 4 project set out to examine selected aspects of the impact of the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS) in primary schools by using comparable data on Year 4 pupil attainment and teaching collected in 1997/98 and 2001/02, two years before and two years after the introduction of the Numeracy Strategy. In this second paper we address the following questions:

• How and to what extent has numeracy teaching in Year 4 changed?

• Why have these changes occurred?

• How can we improve future implementation of reforms?

• How can we inform continuing professional development?

     

Four-Dimensional Real Third-Power Associative Division Algebras

We study third-power associative division algebras A over a field 𝕂 of characteristic different from 2. Those algebras having dimension ≤2 are commutative. When 𝕂 is the field ? of real numbers, those algebras having dimension 4 are power-commutative in each of the following two cases:

1. A contains a central element;

2. A satisfies the additional identity (x, x³, x) = 0.

     

A fast procedure to factorize a natural number

This article describes two ways of factorization of a number N:

• bottom‐up

• top‐down

A combination of these two methods results in a considerable improvement with respect to time consumption. Even in a worst‐case situation, when N is prime the gain of time is unmistakable.     

Further observations on the anharmonic motion equation

Peters [1] discussed some theoretical aspects of the ‘ringing’ sound associated with barbershop quartet singing. These combination tones were first investigated theoretically by Helmholtz [2] who showed that the transient displacement of the ear membrane is governed by the anharmonic motion equation. Rayleigh [3] modelled the situation as an initial value problem and this is now referred to as the Rayleigh problem. Following [1] there has been a renewed interest in the problem (see [4‐8]). The intention of the present paper is to:

• illustrate the qualitative behaviour of the solutions of the Rayleigh problem by a phase plane analysis;

• describe how the method of multiple scales provides a framework within which previous analyses can be seen;

• describe an improvement to the method of multiple scales, which may also prove useful in other applications.

     

Uniform continuity on unbounded intervals

We present a teaching approach to uniform continuity on unbounded intervals which, hopefully, may help to meet the following pedagogical objectives:

1. To provide students with efficient and simple criteria to decide whether a continuous function is also uniformly continuous;

2. To provide students with skill to recognize graphically significant classes of both uniformly and nonuniformly continuous functions.

Assembling some well-known facts and refining the resulting statement, we establish a useful asymptotic coincidence test for the uniform continuity on unbounded intervals. That test is the core of the present note and yields an easily applicable technique. In particular, one of its immediate consequences is the elementary fact that continuity and existence of horizontal or oblique asymptotes imply uniform continuity.     

Characterization of Abelian groups with a minimal generating set

Abstract

We characterize Abelian groups with a minimal generating set: Let τ A denote the maximal torsion subgroup of A. An infinitely generated Abelian group A of cardinality κ has a minimal generating set iff at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:

1. dim(A/pA) = dim(A/qA) = κ for at least two different primes p, q.

2. dim(t A/pt A) = κ for some prime number p.

3. Σ{dim(A/(pA + B)) ∣ dim(A/(pA + B)) < κ} = κ for every finitely generated subgroup B of A.

Moreover, if the group A is uncountable, property (3) can be simplified to (3') Σ{dim(A/pA) ∣ dim(A/pA) < κ} = κ, and if the cardinality of the group A has uncountable cofinality, then A has a minimal generating set iff any of properties (1) and (2) is satisfied.     

AN AXIOMATIC APPROACH TO CATEGORIES OF TOPOLOGICAL ALGEBRAS

Abstract

Consider a commuting square of functors TV = GU where G is an algebraic functor over sets (in the sense of Herrlich), and T and U are (regular epi, monosource)—topological and fibre small. Such a square is called a Topological Algebraic Situation (TAS) when the following two conditions are satisfied:

1. if h: UA → UB and g: VA → VB are morphisms with Gh = Tg, there exists a morphism f: A → B such that Uf = h and Vf = g;

2. V carries U-initial monosources into T-initial mono-sources.

The functor V has many nice properties which shed light on the blending of the “topology” and “algebra”; e.g., V is a topologically algebraic functor in the sense of Y.H. Hong. An ([Etilde],[Mtilde]) version of O. Wyler's “Taut Lift Theorem” is used to show that the existence of a left adjoint to V is related to Condition (ii). It is also shown that certain topological algebraic reflections arise as Topological Algebraic Situations from algebraic and topological surjective reflections.     

Subsets with Generalized Derivations Having Nilpotent Values on Lie Ideals

Let R be a prime ring, with no nonzero nil right ideal, Q the two-sided Martindale quotient ring of R, F a generalized derivation of R, L a noncommutative Lie ideal of R, and b ∈ Q. If, for any u, w ∈ L, there exists n = n(u, w) ≥1 such that (F(uw) ? bwu)ⁿ = 0, then one of the following statements holds:

1. F = 0 and b = 0;

2. R ? M₂(K), the ring of 2 × 2 matrices over a field K, b² = 0, and F(x) = ?bx, for all x ∈ R.