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Possible Duplicate:
pointwise convergence in $\sigma$-algebra

Problem: Prove that the set of points at which a sequence of measurable real functions converges is a measurable set. (I believe the problem means functions from the reals to the reals.)

Source: W. Rudin, Real and Complex Analysis, Chapter 1, exercise 5.

I have posted a proposed solution in the answers.

1 Answers 1

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Let the sequence of functions be $\{f_n(x)\}$. The $\lim \inf$ and $\lim\sup$ of this sequence of functions are measurable (extended-valued) functions. Denote them $h(x)$ and $g(x)$. The set $A$ where $g$ and $h$ are both positive infinity or both negative infinity is measurable, as they are each measurable functions.

Consider the function $p(x)=h\chi_{\mathbb{R}-A}-g\chi_{\mathbb{R}-A}$. It is zero precisely where the original sequence of functions has a limit. Then $E=p^{-1}(\{0\})$ is measurable, so and $E\cup A$ is measurable, and it is the set of points where the sequence has a limit, so we are done.

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    You're not really using that the domain is the set of reals you can do this on any measurable space. You can also replace the range by any complete metric space by observing that a sequence converges if and only if it is Cauchy using the argument I gave in the answer in the thread I marked as a duplicate.2012-07-01