Definition:Existential Quantifier/Unique/Definition 3

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Definition

There exists a unique object $x$ such that $\map P x$, denoted $\exists ! x: \map P x$, if and only if both:

$\exists x : \map P x$

and:

$\forall y : \forall z : \paren {\paren {\map P y \land \map P z} \implies y = z }$


Also denoted as

The symbol $\exists_1$ is also found for the same concept, being an instance of the exact existential quantifier $\exists_n$.

Some sources, for example 1972: Patrick Suppes: Axiomatic Set Theory, use $\operatorname E !$, which is idiosyncratic, considering the use in the same source of $\exists$ for the general existential quantifier.


Also see

  • Results about the unique existential quantifier can be found here.


Sources