Nonstandard Methods in Ramsey Theory and Combinatorial Number Theory

The goal of this present manuscript is to introduce the reader to the nonstandard method and to provide an overview of its most prominent applications in Ramsey theory and combinatorial number theory.Comment: 126 pages. Comments welcom

On the relative strengths of fragments of collection

Let $\mathbf{M}$ be the basic set theory that consists of the axioms of extensionality, emptyset, pair, union, powerset, infinity, transitive containment, $\Delta_0$-separation and set foundation. This paper studies the relative strength of set theories obtained by adding fragments of the set-theoretic collection scheme to $\mathbf{M}$. We focus on two common parameterisations of collection: $\Pi_n$-collection, which is the usual collection scheme restricted to $\Pi_n$-formulae, and strong $\Pi_n$-collection, which is equivalent to $\Pi_n$-collection plus $\Sigma_{n+1}$-separation. The main result of this paper shows that for all $n \geq 1$, (1) $\mathbf{M}+\Pi_{n+1}\textrm{-collection}+\Sigma_{n+2}\textrm{-induction on } \omega$ proves the consistency of Zermelo Set Theory plus $\Pi_{n}$-collection, (2) the theory $\mathbf{M}+\Pi_{n+1}\textrm{-collection}$ is $\Pi_{n+3}$-conservative over the theory $\mathbf{M}+\textrm{strong }\Pi_n \textrm{-collection}$. It is also shown that (2) holds for $n=0$ when the Axiom of Choice is included in the base theory. The final section indicates how the proofs of (1) and (2) can be modified to obtain analogues of these results for theories obtained by adding fragments of collection to a base theory (Kripke-Platek Set Theory with Infinity and $V=L$) that does not include the powerset axiom.Comment: 22 page

A theory of hyperfinite sets

We develop an axiomatic set theory -- the Theory of Hyperfinite Sets THS, which is based on the idea of existence of proper subclasses of big finite sets. We demonstrate how theorems of classical continuous mathematics can be transfered to THS, prove consistency of THS and present some applications.Comment: 28 page

Ends of groups: a nonstandard perspective

We give a nonstandard treatment of the notion of ends of proper geodesic metric spaces. We then apply this nonstandard treatment to Cayley graphs of finitely generated groups and give nonstandard proofs of many of the fundamental results concerning ends of groups. We end with an analogous nonstandard treatment of the ends of relatively Cayley graphs, that is Cayley graphs of cosets of finitely generated groups.Comment: 23 page

Hypernatural Numbers as Ultrafilters

In this paper we present a use of nonstandard methods in the theory of ultrafilters and in related applications to combinatorics of numbers

Approaches to analysis with infinitesimals following Robinson, Nelson, and others

This is a survey of several approaches to the framework for working with infinitesimals and infinite numbers, originally developed by Abraham Robinson in the 1960s, and their constructive engagement with the Cantor-Dedekind postulate and the Intended Interpretation hypothesis. We highlight some applications including (1) Loeb's approach to the Lebesgue measure, (2) a radically elementary approach to the vibrating string, (3) true infinitesimal differential geometry. We explore the relation of Robinson's and related frameworks to the multiverse view as developed by Hamkins. Keywords: axiomatisations, infinitesimal, nonstandard analysis, ultraproducts, superstructure, set-theoretic foundations, multiverse, naive integers, intuitionism, soritical properties, ideal elements, protozoa