Measure of limit of decreasing sequence

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the measure of a decreasing sequence of subsets of R^n, specifically examining the relationship between the measure of a bounded set E and the limit of the measures of the sets E_m defined as E_m = { x : d(x,E) < 1/m }. It is established that if E is closed, then the Lebesgue measure of E equals the limit of the measures of E_m. However, this equality does not hold when E is open, despite E being bounded. The key conclusion is that the boundedness of E does not guarantee the applicability of the measure limit result when E is open.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lebesgue measure and its properties
  • Familiarity with concepts of bounded sets in R^n
  • Knowledge of sequences and limits in mathematical analysis
  • Basic understanding of open and closed sets in topology
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Lebesgue measure in detail
  • Explore the implications of boundedness on measure theory
  • Investigate the differences between open and closed sets in R^n
  • Learn about the convergence of measures and related theorems
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of analysis, and anyone interested in measure theory and topology will benefit from this discussion.

e12514
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
If E_1, E_2, ... is a sequence (of subsets of R^n) that decreases to E
(i.e. E_m+1 is a subset of E_m for all m, and E = intersection of all the E_m's)
and some E_k has finite (lebesgue) measure, i.e. lambda(E_k) is finite
it is a known result that the measure of E is equal to the limit of the measure of E_m.

But now if we are given some bounded set E
and we define E_m = { x : d(x,E) < 1/m }
where d(x,E) = minimum distance from x to any point in set E,
then howcome we have lambda(E) = lim_m->oo lambda( E_m ) when E is closed
but not when E is open?

Doesn't the fact that E is bounded imply some E_k has finite measure, and hence the above result applies, regardless whether E is open or closed or neither?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, the Lebesgue measure of E doesn't depend on whether E is open or not.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K