Formalization of some central theorems in combinatorics of finite sets (1703.10977v1)

Abstract: We present fully formalized proofs of some central theorems from combinatorics. These are Dilworth's decomposition theorem, Mirsky's theorem, Hall's marriage theorem and the Erd\H{o}s-Szekeres theorem. Dilworth's decomposition theorem is the key result among these. It states that in any finite partially ordered set (poset), the size of a smallest chain cover and a largest antichain are the same. Mirsky's theorem is a dual of Dilworth's decomposition theorem, which states that in any finite poset, the size of a smallest antichain cover and a largest chain are the same. We use Dilworth's theorem in the proofs of Hall's Marriage theorem and the Erd\H{o}s-Szekeres theorem. The combinatorial objects involved in these theorems are sets and sequences. All the proofs are formalized in the Coq proof assistant. We develop a library of definitions and facts that can be used as a framework for formalizing other theorems on finite posets.