Predicate variable

In mathematical logic, a predicate variable is a predicate letter which functions as a "placeholder" for a relation (between terms), but which has not been specifically assigned any particular relation (or meaning). Common symbols for denoting predicate variables include capital roman letters such as , and , or lower case roman letters, e.g., .[1] In first-order logic, they can be more properly called metalinguistic variables. In higher-order logic, predicate variables correspond to propositional variables which can stand for well-formed formulas of the same logic, and such variables can be quantified by means of (at least) second-order quantifiers.

  1. ^ "Predicate variable - Encyclopedia of Mathematics". encyclopediaofmath.org. Retrieved 2020-08-20.