Approximation property with F sigma and G delta Sets to show a set is measurable

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SUMMARY

A set \( A \subset \mathbb{R}^n \) is Lebesgue measurable if and only if there exists a set \( B \) that is an \( F_{\sigma} \) and a set \( C \) that is a \( G_{\delta} \) such that \( B \subset A \subset C \) and the difference \( C \setminus B \) is a null set. The discussion confirms that \( F_{\sigma} \) represents a countable union of closed sets, while \( G_{\delta} \) denotes a countable intersection of open sets. The proof involves demonstrating that the measure of the set difference \( G \setminus F \) can be made arbitrarily small, leveraging the properties of null sets.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lebesgue measure theory
  • Familiarity with \( F_{\sigma} \) and \( G_{\delta} \) sets
  • Knowledge of measure properties and null sets
  • Basic concepts of set theory and topology
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of \( F_{\sigma} \) and \( G_{\delta} \) sets in detail
  • Learn about Lebesgue measure and null sets in measure theory
  • Explore the implications of countable unions and intersections in topology
  • Investigate the relationship between measurable sets and their approximations
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Mathematicians, students of real analysis, and anyone interested in advanced measure theory and its applications in mathematical analysis.

ryo0071
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Prove that a set $A\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ is (Lebesgue) measurable $\iff$ there exist a set $B$ which is an $F_{\sigma}$ and a set $C$ which is a $G_{\delta}$ such that $B\subset A\subset C$ and $C$~$B$ (C without B) is a null set.

$F_{\sigma}$ is a countable union of closed sets, and $G_{\delta}$ is a countable intersection of open sets.

I have proven the forward implication already. For the second one I know that I can pick one of the closed sets that make up $B$, say the closed set $F$ with $F \subset B$, and one of the open sets that make up $C$, say the open set $G$ with $C \subset G$. It then follows that $F \subset A \subset G$. I am having trouble showing that the measure of $G$~$F$ is less than an arbitrary $\epsilon > 0$. I know I need to use the fact that $C$~$B$ is a null set but I am not sure how.

Any help is appreciated.
 
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ryo0071 said:
Prove that a set $A\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ is (Lebesgue) measurable $\iff$ there exist a set $B$ which is an $F_{\sigma}$ and a set $C$ which is a $G_{\delta}$ such that $B\subset A\subset C$ and $C$~$B$ (C without B) is a null set.

$F_{\sigma}$ is a countable union of closed sets, and $G_{\delta}$ is a countable intersection of open sets.

I have proven the forward implication already. For the second one I know that I can pick one of the closed sets that make up $B$, say the closed set $F$ with $F \subset B$, and one of the open sets that make up $C$, say the open set $G$ with $C \subset G$. It then follows that $F \subset A \subset G$. I am having trouble showing that the measure of $G$~$F$ is less than an arbitrary $\epsilon > 0$. I know I need to use the fact that $C$~$B$ is a null set but I am not sure how.

Any help is appreciated.

First, $$A = \bigcup_{k\geqslant1}\bigl(A\cap[-k,k]^n\bigr).$$ A countable union of measurable sets is measurable, so it will be sufficient to show that $A\cap[-k,k]^n$ is measurable. So we might as well assume that $A$ is bounded. (That will eliminate any problems that might arise from sets with infinite measure.)

Next, $B$ is a countable union of closed sets, say $B = \bigcup F_r$, and is therefore measurable. Replacing each $F_r$ by $\bigcup_{1\leqslant j\leqslant r}F_j$, we may assume that the sets $F_r$ form an increasing sequence. Then the measure $m(B)$ of $B$ is the sup of the measures $m(F_r).$ So we can find a closed set $F\subset B$ with $m(F) > m(B) - \varepsilon/2.$ By the same argument we can find an open set $G\supset C$ with $m(G)<m(C) + \varepsilon/2$. But $C$ is the union of $B$ and a null set, so $m(C) = m(B).$ It follows that $m(G) - m(F) < \varepsilon.$
 
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