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Multiset theory. (English) Zbl 0668.03027
A multiset is a collection of objects (called elements) in which elements may occur more than once. The number of times an element occurs in a multiset is called its multiplicity. The cardinality of a multiset is the sum of the multiplicities of its elements. Multisets are of interest in certain areas of mathematics, computer science, physics, and philosophy. Section 1 introduces multisets and surveys the relevant literature. Section 2 develops a first-order two-sorted theory MST for multisets that “contains” classical set theory. The intended interpretation of the atomic formula $$x\in^ ny$$ is “x is an element of y with multiplicity n”. In MST, one can extend the classical notion of a function. Section 3 constructs a model of MST in ZFC by interpreting $$x\in^ ny$$ as $$y(x)=n$$ (multisets are modeled by positive integer-valued functions).
Reviewer: W.D.Blizard

##### MSC:
 3e+70 Nonclassical and second-order set theories 3e+99 Set theory
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