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Theorem axnul 4580
 Description: The Null Set Axiom of ZF set theory: there exists a set with no elements. Axiom of Empty Set of [Enderton] p. 18. In some textbooks, this is presented as a separate axiom; here we show it can be derived from Separation ax-sep 4573. This version of the Null Set Axiom tells us that at least one empty set exists, but does not tell us that it is unique - we need the Axiom of Extensionality to do that (see zfnuleu 4578). This proof, suggested by Jeff Hoffman, uses only ax-4 1631 and ax-gen 1618 from predicate calculus, which are valid in "free logic" i.e. logic holding in an empty domain (see Axiom A5 and Rule R2 of [LeBlanc] p. 277). Thus, our ax-sep 4573 implies the existence of at least one set. Note that Kunen's version of ax-sep 4573 (Axiom 3 of [Kunen] p. 11) does not imply the existence of a set because his is universally closed i.e. prefixed with universal quantifiers to eliminate all free variables. His existence is provided by a separate axiom stating (Axiom 0 of [Kunen] p. 10). See axnulALT 4579 for a proof directly from ax-rep 4563. This theorem should not be referenced by any proof. Instead, use ax-nul 4581 below so that the uses of the Null Set Axiom can be more easily identified. (Contributed by Jeff Hoffman, 3-Feb-2008.) (Revised by NM, 4-Feb-2008.) (New usage is discouraged.) (Proof modification is discouraged.)
Assertion
Ref Expression
axnul
Distinct variable group:   ,

Proof of Theorem axnul
Dummy variable is distinct from all other variables.
StepHypRef Expression
1 ax-sep 4573 . 2
2 pm3.24 882 . . . . . 6
32intnan 914 . . . . 5
4 id 22 . . . . 5
53, 4mtbiri 303 . . . 4
65alimi 1633 . . 3
76eximi 1656 . 2
81, 7ax-mp 5 1
 Colors of variables: wff setvar class Syntax hints:  -.wn 3  <->wb 184  /\wa 369  A.wal 1393  E.wex 1612  e.wcel 1818 This theorem was proved from axioms:  ax-mp 5  ax-1 6  ax-2 7  ax-3 8  ax-gen 1618  ax-4 1631  ax-sep 4573 This theorem depends on definitions:  df-bi 185  df-an 371  df-ex 1613
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