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I would really like to show that the following is true.

"Suppose that $X$ is a set and $\theta$ is an outer measure on $X$, and let $\mu$ be the measure on $X$ defined by Carathéodory's method. Then if $\theta E = 0$, then $\mu$ measures $E$."

I'm not exactly sure how $E$ is defined, which could be the problem, but the question goes onto ask me to deduce that if $E \subseteq X$ is $\mu$-negligible iff $\theta E = 0$, so I assume that this is the same $E$ as in the statement above.


I have been using the following definitions and theorems.

Definition (sigma algebra) Let $X$ be a set. A *$\sigma$-algebra of subsets of $X$ is a family $\Sigma$ of subsets of $X$ such that

(i) $\emptyset \in \Sigma$;
(ii) for every sequence $\left< E_n \right>_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ in $\Sigma$, its union $\bigcup _{n \in \mathbb{N}} E_n$ belongs to $\Sigma$.

Definition (measure space) A measure space is a triple $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$ where

(i) $X$ is a set;
(ii) $\Sigma$ is a $\sigma$-algebra of subsets of X;
(iii) $\mu : \Sigma \rightarrow [0, \infty]$ is a function such that
(a) $\mu \emptyset = 0 $;
(b) if $\left_{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ is a disjoint sequence in $\Sigma$, then $\mu \left( \bigcup _{n \in \mathbb{N} } E_n \right) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \mu E_n$.

In this context, members of $\Sigma$ are called measurable sets, and $\mu$ is called a measure on $X$.

Definition (outer measure) Let $X$ be a set. An outer measure on $X$ is a function $\theta : \mathcal{P}X \rightarrow \left[ 0 , \infty \right]$ such that
(i) $\theta \emptyset = 0$,
(ii) if $A \subseteq B \subseteq X$ then $\theta A \leq \theta B$,
(iii) for every sequence $\left< A_n \right> _{n \in \mathbb{N}}$ of subsets of $X$, $\theta \left( \bigcup _{n \in \mathbb{N}} A_n \right) \leq \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \theta A_n$.

Carothéodory's Method: Theorem Let X be a set and $\theta$ an outer measure on $X$. Set

$ \Sigma := \left\{ E \subseteq X : \theta A = \theta \left(A \cap E \right) + \theta \left( A \setminus E \right), \forall A \subseteq X \right\}. $

Then $\Sigma$ is a $\sigma$ algebra of subsets of $X$. Define $\mu : \Sigma \rightarrow \left[0, \infty \right]$ by writing $\mu E = \theta E$ for $E \in \Sigma$; then $\left( X, \Sigma, \mu \right)$ is a measure space.


I think I've followed the proof I have for the above Carothéodory's Method, and I suspect that the proof of the statement in question shall follow it, but proving instead that $\left(A, \Sigma, \mu \right)$ is a measure space. Perhaps the proof is trivial? I just can't see it.

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    I meant "know", of course. Sorry for the typo.2011-07-21

1 Answers 1

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EDIT : Ok so, we want to show that if $\theta E =0$, we have that $E \in \Sigma$. Now since outer measures are subadditive, we have $ \theta A \le \theta(A \cap E) + \theta (A \backslash E) $ thus it remains to prove that $ \theta A \ge \theta(A \cap E) + \theta( A \backslash E). $ Now $0 \le \theta(A \cap E) \le \theta E = 0$ since $\theta$ is monotonic, and $ \theta(A) \ge \theta(A \backslash E) $ again since $\theta$ is monotonic, which means $E \in \Sigma$. Now I don't think I'm wrong, correct me if I am.

Hope that helps,

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    When you appreciate answers you can check the green check under the voting arrows. =) It's always appreciated.2011-07-21