Riemann Integration - The Additivity Theorem .... B&S Theorem 7.2.9 ....

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Theorem 7.2.9 from "Introduction to Real Analysis" (Fourth Edition) by Robert G. Bartle and Donald R. Sherbert, specifically addressing the use of tagged partitions $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ and $$\dot{ \mathcal{Q} }$$ in the proof. Participants express confusion regarding the necessity of both partitions and suggest that a misprint may exist in the text. The conversation highlights the complexity of the proof, emphasizing that the additivity of integrals is straightforward in theory but complicated in practice due to the nature of approximating partitions.

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  • Understanding of Riemann integration concepts
  • Familiarity with tagged partitions in real analysis
  • Knowledge of the additivity theorem in integration
  • Ability to interpret mathematical notation and proofs
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  • Review Section 7.1 of "Introduction to Real Analysis" for foundational concepts
  • Study the properties of tagged partitions in Riemann integration
  • Examine common errors in mathematical texts and their implications on proofs
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I am reading "Introduction to Real Analysis" (Fourth Edition) by Robert G Bartle and Donald R Sherbert ...

I am focused on Chapter 7: The Riemann Integral ...

I need help in fully understanding an aspect of the proof of Theorem 7.2.9 ...Theorem 7.2.9 and its proof ... ... read as follows:View attachment 7319
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/7320In the above proof (near to the start ...) we read the following:

" ... let $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ be a tagged partition of $$[a, b]$$ with $$ \lvert \lvert \dot{ \mathcal{Q} } \lvert \lvert \ \lt \delta $$. ... ... "I am somewhat puzzled by B&S's use of $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ and $$\dot{ \mathcal{Q} }$$ in this proof ... can someone please explain the use of these symbols ... I know they are different partitions ... but why does B&S introduce them ... what is the logic ... why do we need both ... ... [ ... the use of both $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ and $$\dot{ \mathcal{Q} }$$ in the particular statement I quoted seems to me to be most peculiar ... ]

PeterIt may help readers of the above post to have reference to the notation of B&S in setting up the Riemann Integral ... so I am providing the text of Section 7.1 up to and including the definition of the Riemann Integral ... as follows ...View attachment 7321
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/7322
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/7323
 
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Peter said:
In the above proof (near to the start ...) we read the following:

" ... let $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ be a tagged partition of $$[a, b]$$ with $$ \lvert \lvert \dot{ \mathcal{Q} } \lvert \lvert \ \lt \delta $$. ... ... "I am somewhat puzzled by B&S's use of $$\dot{ \mathcal{P} }$$ and $$\dot{ \mathcal{Q} }$$ in this proof
It looks to me as though you have identified another misprint in Bartle and Sherbert. The only way I can make sense of it is that the above sentence should read
" ... let $$\color{red}\dot{ \mathcal{Q} }$$ be a tagged partition of $$[a, b]$$ with $$ \lvert \lvert \dot{ \mathcal{Q} } \lvert \lvert \ \lt \delta $$. ... ... "
It is particularly unfortunate that there should be an error in what the authors admit is a tricky and delicate proof. The fact that $$\int_a^bf = \int_a^cf + \int_c^bf$$ ought to be straightforward. But the integrals are defined in terms of approximating partitions, and a partition of $[a,b]$ may or may not include $c$ as one of its partition points. That is the root cause of the technical difficulties that make this such a complicated and obscure proof.

Bartle and Sherbert would have done well to employ you as a proofreader! (Rofl)
 

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