The reals as rational Cauchy filters

We present a detailed and elementary construction of the real numbers from the rational numbers a la Bourbaki. The real numbers are defined to be the set of all minimal Cauchy filters in $\mathbb{Q}$ (where the Cauchy condition is defined in terms of the absolute value function on $\mathbb{Q}$) and are proven directly, without employing any of the techniques of uniform spaces, to form a complete ordered field. The construction can be seen as a variant of Bachmann's construction by means of nested rational intervals, allowing for a canonical choice of representatives

Decidability of Univariate Real Algebra with Predicates for Rational and Integer Powers

We prove decidability of univariate real algebra extended with predicates for rational and integer powers, i.e., $(x^n \in \mathbb{Q})$ and $(x^n \in \mathbb{Z})$. Our decision procedure combines computation over real algebraic cells with the rational root theorem and witness construction via algebraic number density arguments.Comment: To appear in CADE-25: 25th International Conference on Automated Deduction, 2015. Proceedings to be published by Springer-Verla

Bayesian Probabilities and the Histories Algebra

We attempt a justification of a generalisation of the consistent histories programme using a notion of probability that is valid for all complete sets of history propositions. This consists of introducing Cox's axioms of probability theory and showing that our candidate notion of probability obeys them. We also give a generalisation of Bayes' theorem and comment upon how Bayesianism should be useful for the quantum gravity/cosmology programmes.Comment: 10 pages, accepted by Int. J. Theo. Phys. Feb 200