Monotone class theorem
In measure theory and probability, the monotone class theorem connects monotone classes and sigma-algebras. The theorem says that the smallest monotone class containing an algebra of sets G is precisely the smallest σ-algebra containing G. It is used as a type of transfinite induction to prove many other theorems, such as Fubini's theorem.
Definition of a monotone class
A monotone class is a class M of sets that is closed under countable monotone unions and intersections, i.e. if and then , and if and then
Monotone class theorem for sets
Statement
Let G be an algebra of sets and define M(G) to be the smallest monotone class containing G. Then M(G) is precisely the σ-algebra generated by G, i.e. σ(G) = M(G).
Monotone class theorem for functions
Statement
Let be a π-system that contains and let be a collection of functions from to R with the following properties:
(1) If , then
(2) If , then and for any real number
(3) If is a sequence of non-negative functions that increase to a bounded function , then
Then contains all bounded functions that are measurable with respect to , the sigma-algebra generated by
Proof
The following argument originates in Rick Durrett's Probability: Theory and Examples. [1]
The assumption , (2) and (3) imply that is a λ-system. By (1) and the π−λ theorem, . (2) implies contains all simple functions, and then (3) implies that contains all bounded functions measurable with respect to .
Results and applications
As a corollary, if G is a ring of sets, then the smallest monotone class containing it coincides with the sigma-ring of G.
By invoking this theorem, one can use monotone classes to help verify that a certain collection of subsets is a sigma-algebra.
The monotone class theorem for functions can be a powerful tool that allows statements about particularly simple classes of functions to be generalized to arbitrary bounded and measurable functions.
References
- Durrett, Rick (2010). Probability: Theory and Examples (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 276. ISBN 978-0521765398.