The range of a non-computable function that grows faster than computable functions is undecidable L

Damon Stokes

Damon Stokes

Answered question

2022-06-14

The range of a non-computable function that grows faster than computable functions is undecidable
Let f be a non-computable function that grows faster than every computable function. I have to prove that R = Range ( f ) is non-decidable.
I'm trying to prove the statement by contradiction. Then the indicator function 1 R of R is computable. Now, to get a contradiction, I want to find a computable function g using 1 R , s.t. f doesn't grow faster than g. Can you please give me some tips on the construction of g?
P.S. A precise definition of f is the following:
1. f is a non-computable totally defined N N function
2. Given a computable function h, there is n h N , s.t. for all m n h we have f ( m ) > h ( m ) (if h(m) is defined)

Answer & Explanation

mallol3i

mallol3i

Beginner2022-06-15Added 20 answers

Step 1
For every set A, you can define the function p A that enumerates the elements of A in increasing order, i.e.
p A ( 0 ) := min A,
p A ( i + 1 ) := min ( A { p A ( 0 ) , , p A ( i ) } ).
Let g = p R . If 1 R is computable then so is g: to compute g(i) you look for the ( i + 1 )-th natural number n s.t. 1 R ( n ) = 1 (as g ( i ) = n by definition).
Step 2
It is not hard to show that f does not grow faster than g. Let i be s.t. f ( i ) g ( i ). If g ( i ) < f ( i ) then, since g is an enumeration of R in increasing order, there must be some j > i s.t. f ( j ) = g ( i ) < g ( j ). Notice that if f is strictly increasing then f = g.
Mohamed Mooney

Mohamed Mooney

Beginner2022-06-16Added 5 answers

Explanation:
There is general result saying that a set R of natural numbers is semi-decidable iff R is r.e. iff there as an n-adic partial recursive fct f with r a n ( f ) = R.

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