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Im not entirely sure what this definition means, whilst I'm reading up.

Let $X_n \in$ some sigma algebra $\mathcal{F}$.

$X_n \uparrow X = X_n \subseteq X_{n+1}, \forall n \in \mathbb{N}$ and $\cup X_n = X.$

All that was written in my notes was the above line (which seems to be conditions?) But does $X_n \uparrow X$ mean that $X_n$ converges to $X$?

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    It probably means just what you wrote, i.e. that the sets $X_n$ are increasing and that their union is $X$.2012-03-12
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    It converges in the sense that $\limsup_n X_n=X=\liminf_n X_n$ where $\limsup_nX_n=\bigcup_{n\geq 0}\bigcap_{k\geq n}X_k$ and $\liminf_nX_n=\bigcap_{n\geq 0}\bigcup_{k\geq n}X_k$.2012-03-12
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    It means that $X_n$ increases and converges to $X$. To be specific, for a sequence of subsets $X_n$ of $X$ we define $$ \begin{align*} \limsup_n X_n & = \bigcap_{n=1}^{\infty} \bigcup_{m=n}^{\infty} X_m \\\liminf_n X_n & = \bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} \bigcap_{m=n}^{\infty} X_m. \end{align*}$$ Now we say $\lim_n X_n = X$ if $\limsup_n X_n = \liminf_n X_n = X$. If $X_n$ is monotone, we can prove that $\lim X_n$ always exists. Thus the notation $X_n \uparrow X$ means that $X_1 \subset X_2 \subset X_3 \subset \cdots$ and $X = \bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} X_n$.2012-03-12
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    Thanks guys, great help, I understand it now!2012-03-12

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The line you quote is a definition of $X_n \uparrow X$ although I agree that this is not very clear. That is, the line states that $X_n \uparrow X$ means $X_n \subseteq X_{n+1}$ and $\bigcup X_n = X$.

You should think of $\uparrow$ as meaning increasing pointwise convergence. More generally, if $f_n$ is a sequence of measurable real-valued functions, we say that $f_n \uparrow f$ if $f_n \le f_{n+1}$ pointwise and $f_n \to f$ pointwise. This reduces to the above definition if we take $f_n = 1_{X_n}, f = 1_X$.

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    Thanks, easy to understand what you've written down. :)2012-03-12
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    And writing an equal sign for "means" just causes you confusion a few days later when you try to read your notes!2012-03-12