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Math4121Introduction to Lebesgue Integration (Lecture 17)

Math4121 Lecture 17

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Countability

Theorem: R\mathbb{R} is uncountable

We denote the cardinality of N\mathbb{N} be 0\aleph_0

We denote the cardinality of R\mathbb{R} be c\mathfrak{c}

Continuum Hypothesis:

If there a cardinality between 0\aleph_0 and c\mathfrak{c}

Power set

Definition: Power set

Given a set SS, the power set of SS, denoted P(S)\mathscr{P}(S) or 2S2^S, is the collection of all subsets of SS.

Theorem 3.10 (Cantor’s Theorem)

Cardinality of 2S2^S is not equal to the cardinality of SS.

Proof of Cantor's Theorem

Assume they have the same cardinality, then ψ:S2X\exists \psi: S \to 2^X which is one-to-one and onto. (this function returns a subset of SS)

T={aS:aψ(a)}ST=\{a\in S:a\notin \psi (a)\}\subseteq S

Thus, bS\exists b\in S such that ψ(b)=T\psi(b)=T.

If bTb\in T, then by definition of TT, bψ(b)b \notin \psi(b), but ψ(b)=T\psi(b) = T, which is a contradiction. So bTb\notin T.

If bTb \notin T, then bψ(b)b \in \psi(b), which is also a contradiction since bTb\in T. Therefore, 2S2^S cannot have the same cardinality as SS.

Back to Hankel’s Conjecture

T=n=1(anϵ2n+1,an+ϵ2n+1)T=\bigcup_{n=1}^\infty \left(a_n-\frac{\epsilon}{2^{n+1}},a_n+\frac{\epsilon}{2^{n+1}}\right)

is small

What is the structure of S=[0,1]TS=[0,1]\setminus T? (or Sparse)

  • Cardinality (countable)
  • Topologically (not dense)
  • Measure, for now meaning small or zero outer content.

Chapter 4: Nowhere Dense Sets and the Problem with the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Nowhere Dense Sets

Definition: Nowhere Dense Set

A set SS is nowhere dense if there are no open intervals in which SS is dense.

Corollary: A set is nowhere dense if and only if SS contains no open intervals

SS' contains no open intervals

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