2
$\begingroup$

$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} E|X_n - X| < \infty$ imples $X_n$ converges to $X$ almost surely

I'm sure this is an obvious one line proof and I'm being stupid here, but I cannot see how to show the above. I can see that $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} P(|X_n - X|>\epsilon) < \infty$ would give the result via the Borel Cantelli lemma, am not sure how I can use that fact. Could I maybe approximate $|X_n - X|$ by simple functions? Then turn the expected value operator into a probability.

1 Answers 1

2

That's quite strange that you came up with the BC but cannot attain a proof :) (It's very close!)

By the BC, if we let $A_n(\epsilon)=\left \{|X_n-X|>\epsilon\right\}$, $A(\epsilon)=\limsup A_n(\epsilon)$, then $P(A(\epsilon))=0$. So the set $B=\cup A(\frac{1}{n})$ has probability 0 and $X_n(\omega) \rightarrow X(\omega)$ for $\omega \in B^c$.


Ah, I used the Markov inequality in the very beginning.

  • 0
    Ah, now it makes perfect sense. I didn't know it, but I probably should have been able to derive it, my brains not really working that well this evening. Thanks2012-11-18