In mathematical logic, the Friedman translation is a certain transformation of intuitionistic formulas. Among other things it can be used to show that the Π0-theorems of various first-order theories of classical mathematics are also theorems of intuitionistic mathematics. It is named after its discoverer, Harvey Friedman.

Definition

Let A and B be intuitionistic formulas, where no free variable of B is quantified in A. The translation AB is defined by replacing each atomic subformula C of A by C ∨ B. For purposes of the translation, ⊥ is considered to be an atomic formula as well; hence it is replaced with ⊥ ∨ B (which is equivalent to B). Note that ¬A is defined as an abbreviation for A → ⊥; hence (¬A)B = AB → B.

Application

The Friedman translation can be used to show the closure of many intuitionistic theories under the Markov rule, and to obtain partial conservativity results. The key condition is that the \Delta^0_0-sentences of the logic be decidable, allowing the unquantified theorems of the intuitionistic and classical theories to coincide. For example, if A is provable in Heyting arithmetic (HA), then AB is also provable in HA. Moreover, if A is a Σ0, then AB is in HA equivalent to A ∨ B. By setting B = A, this implies that: