# Axiom of extensionality: Implies vs If… Then statement

What is the reasoning for labeling the axiom of extensionality as an implies operator rather than an if... then statement? For example, I have seen the axiom of extensionality written as an if...then statement and not an implies operator as described in the Axiom of extensionality Wikipedia page.

Also, I understand that an if... then statement that is a tautology is the same thing as an implies operator. I think I am missing something simple, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

• As you say yourself, if ... then and implies is the same. So what is your question? – Christian Matt Mar 25 '17 at 15:07
• Not clear... if it is about the symbol, it is only the choice to use $\Rightarrow$ instead of $\to$ or $\supset$. Unfortuantely, there is no stable international "standard". – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Mar 25 '17 at 15:08
• "if... then statement that is a tautology" ? Of course the Axiom of Extensionality is not a tautology – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Mar 25 '17 at 15:10
• The axiom states a condition on two sets that licenses us to conclude with their equality: if the sets $A$ and $B$ have the same elements, then they are equal. – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Mar 25 '17 at 17:15

"If $A$ then $B$" means the same thing as "$A$ implies $B$". The use of one rather than the other is just a choice of language - they both mean the same thing, "$A\implies B$".
Meanwhile, I don't understand what tautologies have to do with this, but as Mauro commented the axiom of extensionality is not a tautology. For instance, consider the $\{\in\}$-structure whose domain is $\{a, b\}$, and whose $\in$-relation is empty. This fails the axiom of extensionality - $a$ and $b$ have the same elements (namely, none) but $a\not=b$. So extensionality is not a tautology, since it is not true in every structure.
• @Will "Implies is slightly different then if A then B regarding the two definitions" No, it's really not - "$A$ implies $B$" and "if $A$, then $B$" mean exactly the same thing. What difference do you think there is? – Noah Schweber Mar 26 '17 at 0:19