On sets of first-order formulas axiomatizing representable relation algebras

Abstract

This is the author's 2004 Master's thesis at Iowa State University, done under the supervision of Roger D. Maddux. It provides a background in relation algebras. Three results from the literature are demonstrated in full: (i.) RRA is a variety. (ii.) RRA is not finitely based. (iii.) Any equational basis for RRA has infinitely many variables. We also give an elementary proof of Birkoff's variety theorem.

arXiv comment56 pages. Because the source code and packages are old, some of the diagrams are missing line segments. Iowa State University MS thesis, 2004