Abstract

We describe a short model-theoretic proof of an extended normal form theorem for derivations in predicate logic which implies in PRA a normal form theorem for the arithmetic derivations . Consider the Gentzen-type formulation of predicate logic with invertible rules. A derivation with proper variables is one where a variable b can occur in the premiss of an inference L but not below this premiss only in the case when L is () or () and b is its eigenvariable. Free variables of such derivation are eigenvariables and free variables of its last sequent. Then any sequent derivable in predicate logic has a cut-free derivation with proper variables where the main formula of any antecedent rule is underivable. The proof is by a simple modification of the construction of a countermodel of the formula from the open branch of its canonical proof-search tree. It extends to intuitionistic and higher order systems. The proof of the corresponding normalization theorem outlined in [8] uses the passage to the infinitary derivations enriched by finitary derivations. The normal form after a modification to make it decidable can be considered as a realization of Gentzen's idea stated at the end of [2], that his notion of reduction for arithmetic can be extended to other fields of mathematics