Measure Theory and the Hahn Decomposition Theorem
Suppose that $\mu$ and $\nu$ are finite measures on a measurable space $(X,\mathcal{M})$. Prove that either $\nu \perp \mu$, or there exists $\epsilon > 0$ and a measurable set $E \subseteq X$ such that $\mu(E) > 0$ and $\nu \ge \epsilon \mu$ on $E$ (that is, every measurable set $S \subseteq E$ has $\nu(S) \ge \epsilon \mu(S)$).
Hint: Use Hahn Decomposition Theorem
Answer
Since $\mu$ and $\nu$ are measures, for $n\in \N$, $\nu-n^{-1}\mu$ is a signed measure. Then for each $n \in \N$ there exists a Hahn Decomposition for $X$ with respect to the signed measure $\nu-n^{-1}\mu$:
\[ X=P_{n}\cup N_{n}. \]
Let $P=\cup_{n=1}^{\infty} P_{n}$ and $N=\cap_{n=1}^{\infty}N_{n}=P^{c}$. Then $N$ is negative for $\nu-n^{-1}\mu$ for every $n$. So we have
\[(\nu-n^{-1}\mu)(N)\leq 0.\]
Hence \[\nu(N)-n^{-1}\mu(N)\leq 0\]
and therefore, \[ 0\leq \nu(N)\leq n^{-1} \mu(N). \]
Since $\mu(N)<\infty$, letting $n\rightarrow \infty$ we have
\[ \nu(N)=0. (1)\]
Now we consider two cases:
Case I: $\mu(P)=0$. Then from (1) we conclude $\mu\perp \nu$ .
Case II: $\mu(P)>0$. Then, $\exists \ \ n_{0}\in N$ such that $\mu(P_{n_{0}})>0$. Since $X=P_{n_0}\cup N_{n_0}$ is a Hahn decomposition with respect to $\nu-n_0^{-1}\mu$, \[ \nu(P_{n_{0}})-n_{0}^{-1} \mu(P_{n_{0}})>0, \] and hence \[ \nu(P_{n_{0}})>n_{0}^{-1} \mu(P_{n_{0}}). \]
Letting $E:=P_{n_{0}}$ and $\epsilon=n_{0}^{-1}$ we have $\nu(E)>\epsilon \mu(E)$. $\Box$

- answered
- 1438 views
- $65.00
Related Questions
- Uniform convergence of functions
- Velocity of a rock
- Demonstrating Strict Inequality in Fatou's Lemma with Sequences of Functions
- A problem on almost singular measures in real analysis
- Evaluate the limit Please explain all steps
- Exercise on Ito's rule for two correlated stocks.
- Evaluate $\int \sin x \sqrt{1+\cos x} dx$
- Beginner Question on Integral Calculus