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I am studying lambda calculus for the first time and I was trying to do the reduction beta of the lambda term $(\lambda x.xy)y$. Can I assume that these two free variables $y$ are the same? Or do I need to rename the rightmost $y$?

dkaeae
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asked Dec 12, 2018 at 15:12
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$y$ is free in the term you have given, so it is indeed the same variable.

You would not have the same variable in case $y$ was bound by the lambda. That would be the case, for example, if the term were to be $(\lambda y.xy)y$; then the rightmost $y$ would be free, but the one in $xy$ would be bound by lambda and, hence, a different variable.

answered Dec 12, 2018 at 16:44
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