An Introduction to Independence for Analysts

Forcing is a powerful tool from logic which is used to prove that certain propositions of mathematics are independent of the basic axioms of set theory ZFC. This book explains clearly to non-logicians the technique of forcing and its connection with independence and gives a full proof that a naturally arising and deep question of analysis is independent of ZFC. It provides an accessible account of this result and it includes a discussion of Martin''s Axiom and of the independence of CH.