5.2 Cylindric algebras: definition and basic properties

2 min readjuly 24, 2024

Cylindric algebras expand on Boolean algebras, adding cylindrification operators and diagonal elements. These additions allow for more complex logical structures, mirroring existential quantification and equality in first-order logic.

Key properties of cylindric algebras include expansion, distribution, and idempotence of cylindrification operators. These properties, along with the interaction between cylindrification and Boolean operations, form the foundation for working with these advanced algebraic structures.

Cylindric Algebras: Foundations and Properties

Definition of cylindric algebras

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  • Cylindric algebras extend Boolean algebras with additional operations and elements
  • Basic components combine structure with cylindrification operators cic_i for each dimension ii and diagonal elements dijd_{ij} for dimension pairs ii and jj
  • Cylindrification operators cic_i generalize existential quantification by projecting elements onto higher dimensions
  • Diagonal elements dijd_{ij} represent equality between variables in different dimensions (x = y)
  • Inherited Boolean operations include join (∨), meet (∧), complement (¬)
  • Specific axioms govern cylindric algebras such as commutativity of cylindrification (cicjx=cjcixc_i c_j x = c_j c_i x) and cylindrification of diagonal elements (cidij=1c_i d_{ij} = 1)

Properties of cylindric algebras

  • Cylindrification axioms describe fundamental behavior of cic_i operators:
    1. Expansion: xcixx ≤ c_i x
    2. Distribution: ci(xciy)=cixciyc_i(x ∧ c_i y) = c_i x ∧ c_i y
    3. Idempotence: cicix=cixc_i c_i x = c_i x
  • Proof techniques utilize Boolean algebra laws, -specific axioms, and induction on term structure
  • Key properties include monotonicity of cylindrification, interaction with Boolean operations, and relationship between cylindrification and diagonal elements
  • Monotonicity states if xyx ≤ y, then cixciyc_i x ≤ c_i y
  • Interaction with Boolean operations shows ci(xy)=cixciyc_i(x ∨ y) = c_i x ∨ c_i y
  • Relationship between cylindrification and diagonal elements demonstrates ci(dijx)=xc_i(d_{ij} ∧ x) = x if iji ≠ j

Cylindric vs Boolean algebras

  • Cylindric algebras extend Boolean algebras while retaining all Boolean operations and laws
  • Dimensions in cylindric algebras correspond to number of free variables (Boolean algebras are 0-dimensional)
  • Representation theory extends Stone's theorem for Boolean algebras to cylindric algebras
  • Algebraization of logic shows Boolean algebras algebraize propositional logic while cylindric algebras algebraize first-order logic with equality

Construction of cylindric algebras

  • Finite cylindric algebras based on power sets of finite sets with dimension determined by coordinate number in base set
  • Set-theoretic cylindric algebras use power set of ωX^ωX (functions from ω to X) as universe
  • Cylindrification in set-theoretic algebras defined as ci(A)={sωX:tA,t(j)=s(j)forji}c_i(A) = \{s ∈ ^ωX : ∃t ∈ A, t(j) = s(j) for j ≠ i\}
  • Diagonal elements in set-theoretic algebras defined as dij={sωX:s(i)=s(j)}d_{ij} = \{s ∈ ^ωX : s(i) = s(j)\}
  • Cylindric algebras from relational structures use set of all formulas in given language
  • Dimension determined by counting distinct cylindrification operators or analyzing diagonal element structure
  • Concrete examples include 2-dimensional cylindric algebra of binary relations and 3-dimensional cylindric algebra of ternary relations

Key Terms to Review (9)

Atom Structure: Atom structure refers to the arrangement and organization of subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—within an atom. Understanding atom structure is essential for exploring the properties of algebraic structures, particularly in the context of cylindric algebras, where the relationships and interactions between these atomic components can model logical relationships and operations.
Boolean algebra: Boolean algebra is a branch of algebra that deals with variables that have two distinct values, typically represented as true and false, or 1 and 0. It forms the foundation for various applications in computer science, logic, and digital circuit design, allowing for the manipulation of logical expressions and relationships.
Cylindric Algebra: Cylindric algebra is a type of algebraic structure that extends Boolean algebras to handle relations involving multiple dimensions or polyadic operations. It is crucial for modeling logical systems that involve more than one variable, allowing the manipulation of relations across various dimensions. This type of algebra serves as a foundation for polyadic algebras and contributes significantly to the study of algebraic logic.
Cylindrical Extension: Cylindrical extension is a construction used in the theory of cylindric algebras that allows for the expansion of a set of first-order variables into a larger structure. This concept is pivotal as it helps to understand how relations and properties can be extended across dimensions, enabling the analysis of multi-dimensional logical structures. By adding more variables to existing ones, cylindrical extensions facilitate the examination of relationships in a broader context, contributing significantly to the understanding of modal logic and the semantics of first-order logic.
Elementary equivalence: Elementary equivalence refers to a relationship between two structures in model theory where they satisfy the same first-order logic sentences. This means that any property expressible in first-order logic that holds for one structure also holds for the other. This concept is crucial as it connects models with similar logical behaviors, impacting how we understand their properties in relation to various algebraic structures.
Finite dimension: Finite dimension refers to a property of algebraic structures where the dimensions of the vectors or elements can be counted and are limited to a finite number. This concept is crucial in understanding the structure of cylindric algebras, as it relates to the ways these algebras can be represented and manipulated in finite contexts, impacting their various properties and behaviors.
N-dimensional structure: An n-dimensional structure is a mathematical framework that extends concepts from traditional structures into higher dimensions, allowing for the representation of complex relationships and properties. This term is crucial in understanding how various algebraic systems can represent different logical relations and operations beyond just two or three dimensions, enabling a more nuanced analysis of relationships between elements within these systems.
Relation algebra: Relation algebra is a mathematical framework that focuses on the study of relations and their properties through operations similar to those in Boolean algebra. This concept is crucial in understanding structures such as cylindric algebras, as it provides the foundational operations that can be applied to relations, such as union, intersection, and complement. By exploring these operations, relation algebra helps characterize complex relationships within algebraic structures, especially when dealing with multiple dimensions or variables.
Substitution Property: The substitution property states that if two expressions are equal, one can be substituted for the other in any mathematical equation or expression without changing its truth value. This concept is crucial when working with cylindric algebras, as it allows for the manipulation of elements and operations within these structures while preserving equality and relationships among them.
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