A question about lebesgue integral

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In summary, the conversation discusses whether or not the Lebesgue integral of f^2 over an interval being equal to 0 implies that f=0 almost everywhere on that interval. The answer is no, as a counterexample can be found by considering the possibility of positive and negative parts canceling out in the integral. It is also noted that the assumption that f is a real function must be made, as it may not hold true for complex functions. A proof is provided to support the conclusion that for any measure space and measurable function, the integral of the absolute value of the function being equal to 0 implies that the function is equal to 0 almost everywhere.
  • #1
pswongaa
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if lebesgue integral of f^2 over an interval equal 0, must f=0 a.e on that interval?
 
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  • #2
No. Try to find a counterexample (hint: the integral can be 0 since positive and negative parts cancel out).
 
  • #3
R136a1 said:
No. Try to find a counterexample (hint: the integral can be 0 since positive and negative parts cancel out).
What negative parts, R136a1? He's integrating f(x)2 over some interval.
pswongaa said:
if lebesgue integral of f^2 over an interval equal 0, must f=0 a.e on that interval?
Is f a function that maps reals to reals, or something else?
 
  • #4
Oh god. Never mind my reply.
 
  • #5
For any measure space [itex](X,\mathcal{S},μ)[/itex], and any measurable function [itex]g:\rightarrow [-∞,∞][/itex], [tex]∫|g|dμ=0\implies g=0 a.e.[/tex]

Specifically, since [itex]f^2=|f^2|[/itex], this gives [itex]f^2=0[/itex] a.e., and hence [itex]f=0[/itex] a.e.
 
  • #6
You are assuming f is a real function, Axiomer. If it's a complex function, then f2 is not the same as |f2|.
 
  • #7
That's a good point. Since the op didn't specify otherwise, I assumed we were talking about functions to the extended real line.
 
  • #8
For any measure space [itex](X,\mathcal{S},μ)[/itex], and any measurable function [itex]g:\rightarrow [-∞,∞][/itex], [tex]∫|g|dμ=0\implies g=0 a.e.[/tex]

proof:
Define [itex]A=\{x\in X: g(x)≠0\}[/itex]. For all naturals n, define [itex]A_n=\{x\in X: |g(x)|>\frac{1}{n}\}[/itex].

[itex]\frac{1}{n}μ(A_n)=∫\frac{1}{n}x_{A_n}dμ≤∫|g|dμ=0[/itex], so [itex]μ(A_n)=0[/itex] for all n.

Then [itex]μ(A)=μ(\bigcup _{n=1}^∞A_n)≤\sum _{n=1}^∞μ(A_n)=0\implies μ(A)=0[/itex], as desired.
 

FAQ: A question about lebesgue integral

What is the Lebesgue integral?

The Lebesgue integral is a mathematical concept used to measure the size or extent of a set or function. It is an extension of the Riemann integral, which is used to calculate the area under a curve. The Lebesgue integral allows for the integration of a wider class of functions, making it a more versatile tool in mathematics and other fields.

How is the Lebesgue integral different from the Riemann integral?

While the Riemann integral is limited to continuous functions, the Lebesgue integral can be applied to a wider class of functions, including discontinuous and unbounded functions. It also uses a different approach to measure the size or extent of a set or function, making it more flexible and powerful.

What are the main applications of the Lebesgue integral?

The Lebesgue integral has many applications in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It is used to solve problems in probability, statistics, differential equations, and signal processing, among others. It is also a fundamental tool in the field of measure theory, which is important for understanding the properties of sets and functions.

How is the Lebesgue integral calculated?

The Lebesgue integral is calculated by dividing the function into smaller intervals and measuring the size or extent of each interval. This is done using a measure function, which assigns a numerical value to each set or function. The smaller intervals are then summed up to get the final integral value. This approach allows for the integration of more complex functions that cannot be easily integrated using traditional methods.

Why is the Lebesgue integral important in mathematics?

The Lebesgue integral is important in mathematics because it extends the concept of integration to a wider class of functions, allowing for more accurate calculations and solutions to problems. It also provides a more rigorous and general framework for studying measure theory, which is essential in many areas of mathematics. Additionally, the Lebesgue integral has applications in various fields, making it a valuable tool for scientists and researchers.

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