Abstract

We study the proof–theoretic strength and effective content of the infinite form of Ramsey's theorem for pairs. Let RTkndenote Ramsey's theorem fork–colorings ofn–element sets, and let RT<∞ndenote (∀k)RTkn. Our main result on computability is: For anyn≥ 2 and any computable (recursive)k–coloring of then–element sets of natural numbers, there is an infinite homogeneous setXwithX″ ≤T0(n). LetIΣnandBΣndenote the Σninduction and bounding schemes, respectively. Adapting the casen= 2 of the above result (whereXis low2) to models of arithmetic enables us to show that RCA0+IΣ2+ RT22is conservative over RCA0+IΣ2for Π11statements and that RCA0+IΣ3+ RT<∞2is Π11-conservative over RCA0+IΣ3. It follows that RCA0+ RT22does not implyBΣ3. In contrast, J. Hirst showed that RCA0+ RT<∞2does implyBΣ3, and we include a proof of a slightly strengthened version of this result. It follows that RT<∞2is strictly stronger than RT22overRCA0.