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Wesley Calvert

Publications and source records attributed to Wesley Calvert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

sp-Homogeneous Linear Orderings

We study linear orderings expanded by functions for successor and predecessor. The successor and predecessor on linear orderings capture the relatively intrinsically computably enumerable information about orderings in much the same way that dependence captures that for vector spaces. In particular, the sp-homogeneous and weakly sp-homogeneous linear orderings are those which are (ultra-)homogeneous or weakly homogeneous with this additional structure. We demonstrate that these orderings are always relatively $\Delta_4$ categorical and determine exactly which ones are (uniformly) relatively $\Delta_3$ categorical. We also provide a classification for sp-homogeneity and weak sp-homogeneity. We establish that this is the best possible classification by showing that the set of sp-homogeneous linear orderings is $\Pi_5^0$ complete, and that the set of weakly sp-homogeneous linear orderings is $\Sigma_6^0$ complete. These results are obtained in two different ways, one using a hands-on computability theoretic approach and another using more abstract descriptive set theory.

math.LO↗
arXiv2025

Failure Modes for Structural Highness Notions

In a previous paper, entitled "Structural Highness Notions," we defined several classes of degrees that are high in senses related to computable structure theory. Each class of degrees is characterized by a structural feature (e.g., an isomorphism) that it can compute if such a feature exists. In this paper, we examine each of these classes and characterize them based on what they do if no such object exists. We describe, in particular, reticent, loquacious, and collegiate senses of being high. These, respectively, reflect the case where a computation from the degree can give output only if the desired feature exists, the case where it will give output of some kind whether or not the feature exists, and the case where the degree will either compute the feature or the best available approximation to it.

math.LO↗
arXiv2024

Generically Computable Linear Orderings

We study notions of generic and coarse computability in the context of computable structure theory. Our notions are stratified by the $\Sigma_\beta$ hierarchy. We focus on linear orderings. We show that at the $\Sigma_1$ level all linear orderings have both generically and coarsely computable copies. This behavior changes abruptly at higher levels; we show that at the $\Sigma_{\alpha+2}$ level for any $\alpha\in\omega_1^{ck}$ the set of linear orderings with generically or coarsely computable copies is $\mathbf{\Sigma}_1^1$-complete and therefore maximally complicated. This development is new even in the general analysis of generic and coarse computability of countable structures. In the process of proving these results we introduce new tools for understanding generically and coarsely computable structures. We are able to give a purely structural statement that is equivalent to having a generically computable copy and show that every relational structure with only finitely many relations has coarsely and generically computable copies at the lowest level of the hierarchy.

math.LO↗
arXiv2024

In Memory of Martin Davis

The present paper gives an account for the general mathematical reader of the life and work of Martin Davis. Since two rather comprehensive autobiographical accounts and two long biographical interviews already exist, the present work focusses on Davis's scientific achievements, including work on computably enumerable sets, universal Turing machines, the hyperarithmetical hierarchy, neural networks, Hilbert's Tenth Problem, and automated reasoning.

math.HO↗
arXiv2023

Normality, Relativization, and Randomness

Normal numbers were introduced by Borel and later proven to be a weak notion of algorithmic randomness. We introduce here a natural relativization of normality based on generalized number representation systems. We explore the concepts of supernormal numbers that correspond to semicomputable relativizations, and that of highly normal numbers in terms of computable ones. We prove several properties of these new randomness concepts. Both supernormality and high normality generalize Borel absolute normality. Supernormality is strictly between 2-randomness and effective dimension 1, while high normality corresponds exactly to sequences of computable dimension 1 providing a more natural characterization of this class.

math.LO↗
arXiv2023

Computability in infinite Galois theory and algorithmically random algebraic fields

We introduce a notion of algorithmic randomness for algebraic fields. We prove the existence of a continuum of algebraic extensions of $\mathbb{Q}$ that are random according to our definition. We show that there are noncomputable algebraic fields which are not random. We also partially characterize the index set, relative to an oracle, of the set of random algebraic fields computable relative to that oracle. In order to carry out this investigation of randomness for fields, we develop computability in the context of infinite Galois theory (where the relevant Galois groups are uncountable), including definitions of computable and computably enumerable Galois groups and computability of Haar measure on the Galois groups.

math.LO↗
arXiv2021

Structural Highness Notions

We introduce several highness notions on degrees related to the problem of computing isomorphisms between structures, provided that isomorphisms exist. We consider variants along axes of uniformity, inclusion of negative information, and several other problems related to computing isomorphisms. These other problems include Scott analysis (in the form of back-and-forth relations), jump hierarchies, and computing descending sequences in linear orders.

math.LO↗
arXiv2020

Interpreting a field in its Heisenberg group

We improve on and generalize a 1960 result of Maltsev. For a field $F$, we denote by $H(F)$ the Heisenberg group with entries in $F$. Maltsev showed that there is a copy of $F$ defined in $H(F)$, using existential formulas with an arbitrary non-commuting pair $(u,v)$ as parameters. We show that $F$ is interpreted in $H(F)$ using computable $\Sigma_1$ formulas with no parameters. We give two proofs. The first is an existence proof, relying on a result of Harrison-Trainor, Melnikov, R. Miller, and Montalb\'an. This proof allows the possibility that the elements of $F$ are represented by tuples in $H(F)$ of no fixed arity. The second proof is direct, giving explicit finitary existential formulas that define the interpretation, with elements of $F$ represented by triples in $H(F)$. Looking at what was used to arrive at this parameter-free interpretation of $F$ in $H(F)$, we give general conditions sufficient to eliminate parameters from interpretations.

math.LO↗
arXiv2014

PAC Learning, VC Dimension, and the Arithmetic Hierarchy

We compute that the index set of PAC-learnable concept classes is $m$-complete $\Sigma^0_3$ within the set of indices for all concept classes of a reasonable form. All concept classes considered are computable enumerations of computable $\Pi^0_1$ classes, in a sense made precise here. This family of concept classes is sufficient to cover all standard examples, and also has the property that PAC learnability is equivalent to finite VC dimension.

math.LO↗
arXiv2012

Degeneration and orbits of tuples and subgroups in an Abelian group

A tuple (or subgroup) in a group is said to degenerate to another if the latter is an endomorphic image of the former. In a countable reduced abelian group, it is shown that if tuples (or finite subgroups) degenerate to each other, then they lie in the same automorphism orbit. The proof is based on techniques that were developed by Kaplansky and Mackey in order to give an elegant proof of Ulm's theorem. Similar results hold for reduced countably generated torsion modules over principal ideal domains. It is shown that the depth and the description of atoms of the resulting poset of orbits of tuples depend only on the Ulm invariants of the module in question (and not on the underlying ring). A complete description of the poset of orbits of elements in terms of the Ulm invariants of the module is given. The relationship between this description of orbits and a very different-looking one obtained by Dutta and Prasad for torsion modules of bounded order is explained.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

The Distance Function on a Computable Graph

We apply the techniques of computable model theory to the distance function of a graph. This task leads us to adapt the definitions of several truth-table reducibilities so that they apply to functions as well as to sets, and we prove assorted theorems about the new reducibilities and about functions which have nonincreasing computable approximations. Finally, we show that the spectrum of the distance function can consist of an arbitrary single btt-degree which is approximable from above, or of all such btt-degrees at once, or of the bT-degrees of exactly those functions approximable from above in at most n steps.

math.LO↗
arXiv2011

Turing degrees of isomorphism types of geometric objects

We initiate the computability-theoretic study of ringed spaces and schemes. In particular, we show that any Turing degree may occur as the least degree of an isomorphic copy of a structure of these kinds. We also show that these structures may fail to have a least degree.

math.LO↗
arXiv2011

Noncomputable functions in the Blum-Shub-Smale model

Working in the Blum-Shub-Smale model of computation on the real numbers, we answer several questions of Meer and Ziegler. First, we show that, for each natural number d, an oracle for the set of algebraic real numbers of degree at most d is insufficient to allow an oracle BSS-machine to decide membership in the set of algebraic numbers of degree d + 1. We add a number of further results on relative computability of these sets and their unions. Then we show that the halting problem for BSS-computation is not decidable below any countable oracle set, and give a more specific condition, related to the cardinalities of the sets, necessary for relative BSS-computability. Most of our results involve the technique of using as input a tuple of real numbers which is algebraically independent over both the parameters and the oracle of the machine.

cs.LO↗
arXiv2010

The Cardinality of an Oracle in Blum-Shub-Smale Computation

We examine the relation of BSS-reducibility on subsets of the real numbers. The question was asked recently (and anonymously) whether it is possible for the halting problem H in BSS-computation to be BSS-reducible to a countable set. Intuitively, it seems that a countable set ought not to contain enough information to decide membership in a reasonably complex (uncountable) set such as H. We confirm this intuition, and prove a more general theorem linking the cardinality of the oracle set to the cardinality, in a local sense, of the set which it computes. We also mention other recent results on BSS-computation and algebraic real numbers.

cs.LO↗
arXiv2009

Some results on $\mathbb{R}$-computable structures

This survey paper examines the effective model theory obtained with the BSS model of real number computation. It treats the following topics: computable ordinals, satisfaction of computable infinitary formulas, forcing as a construction technique, effective categoricity, effective topology, and relations with other models for the effective theory of uncountable structures.

cs.DB↗
arXiv2008

Three notions of effective computation on $\mathbb{R}$

We compare three notions of effectiveness on uncountable structures. The first notion is that of a $\real$-computable structure, based on a model of computation proposed by Blum, Shub, and Smale, which uses full-precision real arithmetic. The second notion is that of an $F$-parameterizable structure, defined by Morozov and based on Mal'tsev's notion of a constructive structure. The third is $Σ$-definability over $HF(\real)$, defined by Ershov as a generalization of the observation that the computably enumerable sets are exactly those $Σ_1$-definable in $HF(\mathbb{N})$. We show that every $\real$-computable structure has an $F$-parameterization, but that the expansion of the real field by the exponential function is $F$-parameterizable but not $\real$-computable. We also show that the structures with $\real$-computable copies are exactly the structures with copies $Σ$-definable over $HF(\real)$. One consequence of this equivalence is a method of approximating certain $\real$-computable structures by Turing computable structures.

math.LO↗