Skolemization

Meaning

Noun

• The conversion of a formula of first-order logic which involves the following steps: (1) replace free variables with constants, (2) replace any variable bound by an existential quantifier which lies in the scope of an even number of logical negations with a Skolem function, and (3) replace any variable bound by a universal quantifier which lies in the scope of an odd number of negations with a Skolem function.

Origin

• Named after Thoralf Skolem (1887–1963), Norwegian mathematician.