Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Benjamin Hoffman

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin Hoffman.

20 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Iterated functions and the Cantor set in one dimension

In this paper we consider the long-term behavior of points in ${\mathbb R}$ under iterations of continuous functions. We show that, given any Cantor set $Λ^*$ embedded in ${\mathbb R}$, there exists a continuous function $F^*:{\mathbb R}\to{\mathbb R}$ such that the points that are bounded under iterations of $F^*$ are just those points in $Λ^*$. In the course of this, we find a striking similarity between the way in which we construct the Cantor middle-thirds set, and the way in which we find the points bounded under iterations of certain continuous functions.

math.DS↗

A logical treatment of special relativity, with and without faster-than-light observers

There are three goals of this thesis. First: to present a concise yet accessible description of basic mathematical logic and model theory. Second: to develop an axiomatization of special relativity using only two undefined predicates. Ideally, these axioms should be empirically verifiable and supported by a large body of evidence. Finally: to weaken this axiomatization so as to allow for the existence of faster-than-light observers, which are normally excluded from the theory of special relativity. The modifications to the axiom system should be as slight as possible, and should be motivated by the question: what features of the original axiom system preclude the existence of faster-than-light observers?

math.LO↗