Why does P-a-s Convergence Equal Limm→∞ P({Supn≥m|Xn-X| ≥ε })?

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The discussion centers on the equivalence of two definitions of convergence for a sequence of random variables, specifically P-a-s convergence and its relation to the limit of probabilities. It establishes that a sequence of random variables Xn converges to a random variable X almost surely if and only if the limit as m approaches infinity of P({Supn≥m|Xn-X| ≥ε }) equals zero. The conversation emphasizes the importance of precise mathematical notation and understanding the underlying assertions to grasp the concept fully.

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stukbv
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So I have a definition;
Xn n=1,2... is a sequence of random variables on ( Ω,F,P) a probability space, and let X be another random variable.
We say Xn converges to X almost surely (P-a-s) iff P({limn →∞ Xn=X}C) = 0

It then goes on to say that checking this is the same as checking
limm →∞ P({Supn≥m|Xn-X| ≥ε }) = 0
Can somebody please explain why this is true, I don't understand at all how to get from one to the other properly.

Thanks!
 
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They're just two ways to express the same concept; that you can get Xn as close to X as you want with an n sufficiently large.
 
stukbv said:
It then goes on to say that checking this is the same as checking
limm →∞ P({Supn≥m|Xn-X| ≥ε }) = 0

"It" isn't being very precise. I suppose mathematical tradition tells us that \epsilon is a number greater than zero. Tradition also tells us that the quantifier associated with \epsilon is "for each", so that's a hint about what it means. The notation it is using for sets is very abbreviated. The usual notation would tell us that a set is "the set of all... such that ...".

If you want to understand the assertions precisely, the first thing you must do is to understand precisely what they assert. I don't know if that is your goal. If it is, try to write out exactly what each of those statements claims using better notation.
 

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