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Axiom of power set
In mathematics, the axiom of power set is one of the Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms of axiomatic set theory.
In the formal language of the Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms, the axiom reads:
Or in words:
- Given any set A, there is a set PA such that, given any set B, B is a member of PA if and only if B is a subset of A.
By the axiom of extensionality this set is unique. We call the set B the power set of A, and denote it PA. Thus the essence of the axiom is:
- Every set has a power set.
The axiom of power set is generally considered uncontroversial, and it or an equivalent appears in just about any alternative axiomatisation of set theory.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details