Definable Real Number

Definable Real Number

A real number a is first-order definable in the language of set theory, without parameters, if there is a formula φ in the language of set theory, with one free variable, such that a is the unique real number such that φ(a) holds in the standard model of set theory (see Kunen 1980:153).

For the purposes of this article, such reals will be called simply definable numbers. This should not be understood to be standard terminology.

Note that this definition cannot be expressed in the language of set theory itself.

Read more about Definable Real Number:  General Facts, Notion Does Not Exhaust "unambiguously Described" Numbers, Other Notions of Definability

Famous quotes containing the words real and/or number:

    ... criticism ... makes very little dent upon me, unless I think there is some real justification and something should be done.
    Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962)

    In this world, which is so plainly the antechamber of another, there are no happy men. The true division of humanity is between those who live in light and those who live in darkness. Our aim must be to diminish the number of the latter and increase the number of the former. That is why we demand education and knowledge.
    Victor Hugo (1802–1885)