Hardy hierarchy

In computability theory, computational complexity theory and proof theory, the Hardy hierarchy, named after G. H. Hardy, is an ordinal-indexed family of functions h_α: N → N (where N is the set of natural numbers, {0, 1, ...}). It is related to the fast-growing hierarchy and slow-growing hierarchy. The hierarchy was first described in Hardy's 1904 paper, "A theorem concerning the infinite cardinal numbers".

Definition

Let μ be a large countable ordinal such that a fundamental sequence is assigned to every limit ordinal less than μ. The Hardy hierarchy of functions h_α: N → N, for α < μ, is then defined as follows:

• $h_0(n) = n,\,$
• $h_{\alpha+1}(n) = h_\alpha(n + 1),\,$
• $h_\alpha(n) = h_{\alpha[n]}(n) \,\!$ if α is a limit ordinal.

Here α[n] denotes the n^th element of the fundamental sequence assigned to the limit ordinal α. A standardized choice of fundamental sequence for all α ≤ ε₀ is described in the article on the fast-growing hierarchy.

Caicedo (2007) defines a modified Hardy hierarchy of functions $H_\alpha\,\!$ by using the standard fundamental sequences, but with α[n+1] (instead of α[n]) in the third line of the above definition.

Relation to fast-growing hierarchy

The Wainer hierarchy of functions f_α and the Hardy hierarchy of functions h_α are related by f_α = h_ω^α for all α < ε₀. Thus, for any α < ε₀, h_α grows much more slowly than does f_α. However, the Hardy hierarchy "catches up" to the Wainer hierarchy at α = ε₀, such that f_ε0 and h_ε0 have the same growth rate, in the sense that f_ε0(n-1) ≤ h_ε0(n) ≤ f_ε0(n+1) for all n ≥ 1. (Gallier 1991)

References

• . (In particular Section 12, pp. 59–64, "A Glimpse at Hierarchies of Fast and Slow Growing Functions".)

• .