So first let me state my homework problem:
Let $X$ be a set, let $\{A_k\}$ be a sequence of subsets of $X$, let $B = \bigcup_{n=1}^{+\infty} \bigcap_{k=n}^{+\infty} A_k$, and let $C = \bigcap_{n=1}^{+\infty} \bigcup_{k=n}^{+\infty} A_k$. Show that (a) $\liminf_k\; {\xi_A}_{_k} = \xi_B$, and $(b)$ $\limsup_k \;{\chi_A}_{_k} = \chi_C.$
I know that, in the context I am familiar with, that $\liminf_{k\rightarrow +\infty}\; X_k = \bigcup_{k=1}^{+\infty} \bigcap_{n=k}^{+\infty} X_n$ and $\limsup_{k\rightarrow +\infty}\;X_k = \bigcap_{k=1}^{+\infty} \bigcup_{n=k}^{+\infty} X_n.$
I also know that the characteristics (indicator) function is defined as $\chi_A(x) = \begin{cases} 1, & x \in A \\ 0, & x \notin A .\end{cases} $
So I wrote out $B$ in some of its `glory': $B= (A_1 \cap A_2 \cap A_3 \cap \cdots) \cup (A_2 \cap A_3 \cap \cdots) \cup (A_3 \cap A_4 \cap \cdots) \cup \cdots$, and as the first argument is the smallest, with increasing size to the right, the last term in the expression for $B$ would be $B$, which would be the largest.
So if I replace the $X_k$'s above with $\chi$'s I still don't see how I can get the correct answer - though it looks pretty clear from the definition of $B$ and that of $\liminf$ being basically the same, except in this case for the $\chi$.
Any direction would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I have checked out limsup and liminf of a sequence of subsets of a set but I was somewhat confused by the topology, the meets/joins, etc.
Thanks much, Nate