The prime ideal theorem and representation of \(F\)-rings (Q1108300)

The Boolean Prime Ideal Theorem (PIT) is the statement that every non- trivial Boolean algebra has a prime ideal. The Birkhoff-Pierce Representation Theorem for \(F\)-rings (BPT) is the statement that every \(F\)-ring is a subdirect product of totally ordered rings. \textit{D. Feldman} and \textit{M. Henriksen} [Indag. Math. 50, No. 2, 121--126 (1988; Zbl 0656.06017)] showed recently that PIT and BPT are equivalent. They used some alternative principles equivalent to PIT, for instance the Completeness Theorem for first order logic. Here a different and direct proof is given that, in ZF, PIT and BPT are equivalent.