1. Algebra and sigma algebra on a set
by adityaguharoy, Feb 28, 2018, 3:28 PM
Definitions of algebra on a set and sigma algebra on a set
Let
be an infinite set. And let
be the collection of all subsets
of
such that either
or
is finite. Prove that
is an algebra on
, but not a sigma algebra on
.
Proof
A related exercise :
Let
be an uncountable set
be the collection of all subsets
of
such that either
is countable or
is countable.
Is
a
algebra on
?
Answer
Hint to sketch
Definition (of Algebra on a set )
Let
be an arbitrary set. Then a collection
of subsets of
is called an algebra on
if and only if all the following are true :

for each
the set 
for every finite sequence
of elements each
the union 
Definition (of sigma algebra on a set )
Let
be an arbitrary set. Then a collection
of subsets of
is called an
algebra on
if and only if all the following are true :

for each
the set 
for every infinite sequence
of elements each
the union 
Note that : since
, so we conclude that every
algebra on a set
is also an algebra on
.
Let













Definition (of sigma algebra on a set )
Let














Note that : since




Let









Proof
Note that given a set
then
is infinite if and only if there is a one one function from
to
.
Thus, since given that
is an infinite set so, there must be a one one function from
to
. Let
be such a function.
Then, note that since each of the sets
(
) is finite so they all belong to
.
But, if
be the union
then
is an infinite set and also
is an infinite set. Thus,
is not an element of
.
So, (as per definitions),
is not a
algebra on
.
However, since finite union of finite sets is finite and by de Moivre’s law, we get that,
has to be an algebra on
.
This completes the proof.




Thus, since given that




Then, note that since each of the sets



But, if






So, (as per definitions),



However, since finite union of finite sets is finite and by de Moivre’s law, we get that,


This completes the proof.
A related exercise :
Let

a set
is called to be uncountable if and only if there is no one one function from
to 
. Let 







Is



Answer
Yes.
Hint to sketch
Countable union of countable sets is countable. Show this ! and then use this to conclude the result.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by adityaguharoy, Feb 28, 2018, 4:16 PM