Abstract

We consider two models V1, V2 of ZFC such that V1 ⊆ V2, the cofinality functions of V1 and of V2 coincide, V1 and V2 have that same hereditarily countable sets, and there is some uncountable set in V2 that is not covered by any set in V1 of the same cardinality. We show that under these assumptions there is an inner model of V2 with a measurable cardinal κ of Mitchell order κ++. This technical result allows us to show that changing cardinal characteristics without changing cofinalities or ω-sequences has consistency strength at least Mitchell order κ++. From this we get that the changing of cardinal characteristics without changing cardinals or ω-sequences has consistency strength Mitchell order ω1, even in the case of characteristics that do not stem from a transitive relation. Hence the known forcing constructions for such a change have lowest possible consistency strength. We consider some stronger violations of covering which have appeared as intermediate steps in forcing constructions