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Konig's Theorem (Set Theory)

Logic and Foundations

Konig's Theorem in set theory is a result of cardinal arithmetic stating that, assuming the axiom of choice, if the cardinality of each set in an indexed family is strictly less than the cardinality of a corresponding set in a second indexed family over the same index set, then the sum of the cardinalities in the first family is strictly less than the product of the cardinalities in the second. It is a foundational inequality of infinite cardinal arithmetic, named for Denes Konig, distinct from his own well-known theorem on bipartite graphs.

Facts
Statement
If the axiom of choice holds and, for every index i in a set I, the cardinal number kappa-i is strictly less than the cardinal number lambda-i, then the sum of the kappa-i over I is strictly less than the product of the lambda-i over I. 1
Proof Year
1904 1
Classification
Statement Form
Inequality 1
Connections

Has Statement Form

Inequality, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

Sources
1. Konig's theorem (set theory), Wikipedia
  • Introduction
    Konig's theorem states that if the axiom of choice holds, I is a set, ki and lambda-i are cardinal numbers with ki less than lambda-i, for every i in I, then the sum of the ki is strictly less than the product of the lambda-i.
  • History
    Konig's theorem was introduced by Konig (1904) in the slightly weaker form that the sum of a strictly increasing sequence of nonzero cardinal numbers is less than their product.
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