Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@GSheaf
Last active October 25, 2025 20:07
Show Gist options
  • Select an option

  • Save GSheaf/7f51c73ec64a473c420720ce95bcfe73 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Save GSheaf/7f51c73ec64a473c420720ce95bcfe73 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
penance.md

[!INFO] As you can see, the rendering in this is a bit janky (this is what I get for deciding not to use $\LaTeX{}$ for this). I had higher hopes for <details/> blocks, but alas. You might find more success rendering the markdown locally (this is at least true for me).

Should be okay, since nobody is going to read this anyway 🀷

1. Preliminaries

Definition 1.1.

A $\sigma$ -algebra over a set $X$ is a subset $\Sigma\subseteq 2^X$ (that is, a set of subsets of $X$), satisfying:

  1. If $I$ is some countable set ($0\leq|I|\leq\omega$), and $U_i\in\Sigma$ for $i\in I$, then $\bigcup_{i\in I}U_i \in \Sigma$.
  2. If $U\in\Sigma$, then $X\setminus U\in\Sigma$.

A measurable space is a pair $(X, \Sigma)$, where $X$ is some set, and $\Sigma$ is a $\sigma$ -algebra over $X$.

In such a situation, a subset $S\subseteq X$ is called measurable iff $S\in\Sigma$.

Note, in particular, that every $\sigma$ -algebra over $X$ contains $\varnothing$ (the empty union). Moreover, closure under complements implies that $\sigma$ -algebras over $X$ contain $X$ itself, and are closed under countable intersections as well.

Definition 1.2.

Fix a measurable space $(X, \Sigma)$. A measure on $(X, \Sigma)$ is a function $\mu : \Sigma \to [0, \infty]$ such that:

  1. $\mu(\varnothing) = 0$.
  2. If $I$ is some countable set, and $U_i\in\Sigma$ for $i\in I$ such that $U_i\cap U_j=\varnothing$ for $i\neq j$, then
$$\mu\left(\bigcup_{i\in I}U_i\right) = \sum_{i\in I}\mu(U_i)$$

Naturally, a measure space is a triple $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$, where $(X, \Sigma)$ is a measurable space, and $\mu$ is a measure on $(X, \Sigma)$.

2. More preliminaries

Definition 2.1.

A Boolean algebra is a sextuple $(A, \land, \lor, \lnot, \top, \bot)$ satisfying:

  1. $(A, \land, \top)$ is a commutative monoid.
  2. $(A, \lor, \bot)$ is a commutative monoid.
  3. (Absorption) For all $a, b, c\in A$, we have $a \land (a\lor b) = a\lor(a\land b) = a$.
  4. (Distributivity) For $a, b, c\in A$, we have
$$\begin{aligned} a\land(b\lor c) &= (a\land b)\lor(a\land c) \\\ a\lor(b\land c) &= (a\lor b)\land(a\lor c) \end{aligned}$$
  1. (Annihilation) For all $a\in A$, we have $a\land\bot=\bot$, and $a\lor\top=\top$.
  2. (Complementation) For all $a\in A$, we have $a\land\lnot a=\bot$ and $a\lor\lnot a=\top$.
What is a commutative monoid?

A monoid is a triple $(M, \circ, 1)$, where $M$ is some set, $\circ : M\times M\to M$, and $1\in M$, such that

  1. Multiplication is associative: for $a,b,c\in M$, we have $a\circ(b\circ c) = (a\circ b)\circ c$.
  2. $1$ is a neutral element: for $a\in M$, we have $1\circ a = a = a\circ1$.

A monoid is further called commutative if $a\circ b=b\circ a$ for all $a, b\in M$.

Every Boolean algebra $A$ carries a canonical partial ordering $(\preceq)$ defined by

$$a \preceq b \quad\iff\quad a\land b = a \quad\iff\quad a\lor b = b$$

The partial ordering completely determines the Boolean algebra, through suprema and infima (and the fact that axiom 6 completely determines $\lnot a$ from $a$).

Proof (of unique complements).

Suppose $b,b'\in A$ are both complements of some $a\in A$; that is, $a\land b=\bot$, $a\lor b=\top$, $a\land b'=\bot$, $a\lor b'=\top$. Then,

b = b\land\top = b\land(a\lor b') = (b\land a)\lor(b\land b') = \bot\lor(b\land b') = b\land b'

Analogously, $b' = b'\land b$. However, since conjunction is commutative, this implies $b=b\land b'=b'\land b=b'$. $\qquad\square$

Note. Since conjunction and disjunction are symmetric, the definition of $\lnot a$ also implies $\lnot\lnot a = a$ (i.e., double negation).

Proof (of partial ordering being well-defined).

If $a\land b=a$, then $a\lor b = (a\land b)\lor b = b$. Conversely, if $a\lor b = b$, then $a\land b=a\land(a\lor b) = a$. This proves that the two definitions of the partial ordering coincide.

It remains to show that this indeed defines a partial ordering.

  1. (Reflexivity) $a\preceq a$ for all $a\in A$, since $a\land a = a\land(a\lor\bot) = a$.
  2. (Antisymmetry) If $a\preceq b$ (i.e., $a\land b=a$) and $b\preceq a$ (i.e., $b\land a=b$), then $a = a\land b=b\land a=b$.
  3. (Transitivity) If $a\preceq b$ (i.e., $a\land b=a$) and $b\preceq c$ (i.e., $b\land c=b$), then $a\land c=(a\land b)\land c=a\land(b\land c)=a\land b=a$; that is, $a\preceq c$.

This completes the proof. $\qquad\square$

Definition 2.2.

Given a partially-ordered set $(P, \preceq)$, and a subset $S\subseteq P$, an upper bound of $S$ is any $u\in P$ such that $s\preceq u$ for every $s\in S$. If there is an upper bound $u^\in P$ of $S$ such that, for any other upper bound $u\in P$ of $S$, we have $u^\preceq u$, then $u^$ is called the supremum of $S$, denoted $u^ =: \sup S$.

Entirely dually, a lower bound of $S$ is any $\ell\in P$ such that $\ell\preceq s$ for every $s\in S$. If there is a lower bound $\ell^\in P$ of $S$ such that, for any other lower bound $\ell\in P$ of $S$, we have $\ell\preceq\ell^$, then $\ell^$ is called the infimum of $S$, denoted $\ell^ =: \inf S$.

In a Boolean algebra, one can show that $a\lor b=\sup{a, b}$, and $a\land b=\inf{a, b}$.

Proof.

$a\land b\preceq a$ because $a\land(a\land b)=(a\land a)\land b = a\land b$. Symmetrically, $a\land b\preceq b$ also.

If $c\preceq a$ and $c\preceq b$, then $a\land c=c$ and $b\land c=c$. In particular, $(a\land b)\land c=a\land(b\land c)=a\land c=a$, meaning $c\preceq(a\land b)$ as well, showing that $a\land b$ is the greatest lower bound of ${a,b}$.

The argument for $a\lor b=\sup{a, b}$ is entirely dual. $\qquad\square$

Definition 2.3.

A Boolean algebra $A$ is complete if every subset $S\subseteq A$ admits a supremum and an infimum.

For a family $(a_i)_{i\in I}$ of elements of $A$, the supremum and infimum may be denoted

$$\bigvee_{i\in I}a_i := \sup_{i\in I}a_i, \qquad \bigwedge_{i\in I}a_i := \inf_{i\in I}a_i$$

Lemma 2.4. (de Morgan's laws)

Let $A$ be a Boolean algebra, and $I$ some indexing set. Then, $A$ has suprema of all $I$ -indexed families iff it has infima of all $I$ -indexed families. In such a situation, if $S = (a_i)_{i\in I}$ is a family of elements of $A$, then

$$\bigvee_{i\in I}a_i = \lnot\bigwedge_{i\in I}\lnot a_i, \qquad \bigwedge_{i\in I}a_i = \lnot\bigvee_{i\in I}\lnot a_i$$

In particular, a Boolean algebra is complete iff it has arbitrary suprema.

Proof.

Let $S\subseteq A$ be some family of elements of $A$, and let $\lnot S := {\lnot s \mid s\in S}$ be the element-wise negation of $S$.

Since $A$ has suprema of families indexed by $I$, we can compute $u := \sup(\lnot S)$. We will show that $\lnot u = \inf(S)$.

Suppose $\ell$ is a lower bound for $S$; that is, $\ell\preceq s$ for every $s\in S$. Then, $\lnot\ell$ is an upper bound for $\lnot S$. Indeed, for any $\lnot s\in\lnot S$, we have that $\lnot\ell\land\lnot s = \lnot(\ell\lor s) = \lnot s$, meaning $\lnot s\preceq\lnot\ell$.

By the universal property of $u$, this means that $u\preceq\lnot\ell$. In other words, $\ell\preceq\lnot u$ (by the same reasoning as above).

As $\ell$ is an arbitrary lower bound of $S$, this proves that $\lnot u$ is the greatest lower bound of $S$, and hence the infimum of $S$.

As $S$ is an arbitrary family of elements of $A$, this proves $A$ has all infima. $\qquad\square$

Example 2.5.

The set of Boolean truth values $\Omega = {\top, \bot}$ defines a complete Boolean algebra.

Since Boolean algebras form an algebraic theory, they admit arbitrary products. This employs us to construct larger Boolean algebras from $\Omega$.

Example 2.6

Given a set $X$, the power set $2^X$ can be identified with the product of $|X|$ -many copies of (the underlying set of) $\Omega$, and so admits a canonical Boolean algebra structure.

Under this identification,

  1. $S\land T := S\cap T$
  2. $S\lor T := S\cup T$
  3. $\lnot S := X\setminus S$
  4. $\top := X$
  5. $\bot := \varnothing$.

3. Putting the two together

Lemma 3.1.

Every $\sigma$ -algebra is a Boolean algebra.

Proof.

Since a $\sigma$ -algebra $\Sigma$ is a subset of a power set $2^X$, this follows from Example 2.6 after observing that $\sigma$ -algebras are closed under all Boolean algebra operations. $\qquad\square$

Definition 3.2.

Given a Boolean algebra $A$, an ideal of $A$ is a subset $I\subseteq A$ such that

  1. $\bot \in I$,
  2. If $x, y\in I$, then $x\lor y\in I$,
  3. If $a\in A$ and $z\in I$, then $a\land z\in I$.

Lemma 3.3.

Let $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$ be a measure space. Say that $S\in\Sigma$ is a null set if $\mu(S) = 0$. Then, the null sets define an ideal of $\Sigma$.

Proof.

$\mu(\varnothing) = 0$ by design, which handles axiom 1 of Definition 3.2.

The other axioms follow from more general properties of a measure: for $U, V\in\Sigma$:

  1. $\mu(U\cup V)\leq\mu(U)+\mu(V)$ (which implies axiom 2).
  2. $\mu(U\cap V)\leq\mu(U)$ (which implies axiom 3).

These both follow from monotonicity: if $U\subseteq V$, then $\mu(U)\leq\mu(V)$.

To see this, note that if $U, V\in\Sigma$, and $U\subseteq V$, then $V\setminus U = V\cap(X\setminus U) \in \Sigma$. Now, since $V = U \cup (V\setminus U)$, it follows that $\mu(V) = \mu(U)+\mu(V\setminus U)$, and therefore (since $\mu\geq0$) that $\mu(V)\geq\mu(U)$. $\qquad\square$

Given an ideal $I$ of $A$, we can define an equivalence relation on $A$ by

$$a \sim_I b \quad\iff\quad \underbrace{(a\land\lnot b)\lor(b\land\lnot a)}_{a\oplus b}\in I$$
Proof that this defines an equivalence relation.

We need to show that the equivalence relation is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.

Reflexivity is clear: for any $a\in I$, $a\oplus a = (a\land\lnot a)\lor(a\land\lnot a) = \bot\lor\bot = \bot$, which must always lie in $I$.

Symmetry is by design: $a\oplus b = b\oplus a$.

For transitivity, we will show that $a\oplus c = (a\oplus b)\oplus(b\oplus c)$. Indeed, since $x,y\in I$ implies $x\oplus y = \underbrace{(x\land\lnot y)}{\in I}\lor\underbrace{(y\land\lnot x)}{\in I}\in I$, it follows that if $a\oplus b\in I$ and $b\oplus c\in I$, then $a\oplus c=(a\oplus b)\oplus(b\oplus c)\in I$ as well.

To see that $a\oplus c=(a\oplus b)\oplus(b\oplus c)$, we will instead show that $(A, \oplus, \bot)$ is a (commutative) monoid. Then, $(a\oplus b)\oplus(b\oplus c) = a\oplus(b\oplus b)\oplus c = a\oplus\bot\oplus c = a\oplus c$.

We already have that $a\oplus\bot=(a\land\lnot\bot)\lor(\bot\land\lnot a) = a\lor\bot=a$, so it remains to show associativity.

To this end, notice that the right hand side of

\begin{aligned}
    (a\oplus b)\oplus c &= ((a\land\lnot b)\lor(b\land\lnot a))\oplus c \\
        &= (((a\land\lnot b)\lor(b\land\lnot a))\land\lnot c)\lor(c\land \lnot((a\land\lnot b)\lor(b\land\lnot a))) \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land b\land\lnot c))\lor(c\land((\lnot a\lor b)\land(\lnot b\lor a))) \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land b\land\lnot c))\lor(c\land((\lnot a\land\lnot b)\lor(\lnot a\land a)\lor(b\land\lnot b)\lor(b\land a))) \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land b\land\lnot c))\lor(c\land((\lnot a\land\lnot b)\lor(a\land b))) \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land b\land\lnot c))\lor((\lnot a\land\lnot b\land c)\lor(a\land b\land c)) \\
        &= (a\land\lnot b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land b\land\lnot c)\lor(\lnot a\land\lnot b\land c)\lor(a\land b\land c)
\end{aligned}

is invariant under permutations of $a, b, c$. As this implies the same for the left hand side, $(a\oplus b)\oplus c = (b\oplus c)\oplus a$, which proves associativity (given commutativity). $\qquad\square$

The quotient of $A$ by this equivalence relation will be denoted by $A/I$, which is the set $A$ after identifying $a$ with $b$ whenever $a\sim_I b$. Equivalently, $A/I$ is the set of equivalence classes of $A$.

Lemma 3.4.

If $A$ is a Boolean algebra, and $I\subseteq A$ is an ideal, then the quotient $A/I$ inherits the structure of a Boolean algebra.

Proof.

For $a\in A$, let $[a]$ denote its equivalence class in $A/I$. Then, the putative Boolean algebra operations are given in the most natural way:

  1. $[a]\land[b] := [a\land b]$
  2. $[a]\lor[b] := [a\lor b]$
  3. $\lnot[a] := [\lnot a]$

That these operations satisfy the axioms of a Boolean algebra is automatic. What isn't automatic is that these operations are well-defined.

Suppose $a\sim_Ia'$, then we need to show that

  1. $a\land b\sim_Ia'\land b$
  2. $a\lor b\sim_Ia'\lor b$
  3. $\lnot a\sim_I\lnot a'$

(Commutativity saves us from having to check more than this.)

These follow from generally useful facts about the symmetric difference operator.

a + b = c

Claim 3.4.i.

Conjunction distributes over symmetric difference: $(a\oplus a')\land b = (a\land b)\oplus(a'\land b)$.

Proof.
\begin{align*}
    (a\land b)\oplus(a'\land b) &= ((a\land b)\land\lnot(a'\land b))\lor(\lnot(a\land b)\land(a'\land b)) \tag{definition} \\
        &= (a\land b\land(\lnot a\lor\lnot b))\lor((\lnot a\lor\lnot b)\land a'\land b) \tag{de Morgan} \\
        &= ((a\land b\land\lnot a')\lor\underbrace{(a\land b\land\lnot b)}_{=\bot})\lor((\lnot a\land a'\land b)\lor\underbrace{(\lnot b\land a'\land b)}_{=\bot}) \tag{distributivity} \\
        &= (a\land b\land\lnot a')\lor(\lnot a\land a'\land b) \tag{$\bot$ is $\lor$ -neutral} \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot a')\lor(\lnot a\land a'))\land b \tag{distributivity} \\
        &= (a\oplus a')\land b \tag{definition}
\end{align*}

This completes the proof. $\qquad\square$

In particular, if $a\oplus a'\in I$, then

(a\land b)\oplus(a'\land b) = \underbrace{(a\oplus a')}_{\in I}\land b \in I

shows that conjunction in $A/I$ is well-defined.

Claim 3.4.ii.

Disjunction anti-distributes over symmetric difference: $(a\oplus a')\land\lnot b = (a\lor b)\oplus(a'\lor b)$.

Proof.
\begin{align*}
    (a\lor b)\oplus(a'\lor b) &= ((a\lor b)\land\lnot(a'\lor b))\lor(\lnot(a\lor b)\land(a'\lor b)) \tag{definition} \\
        &= ((a\lor b)\land\lnot a'\land\lnot b)\lor(\lnot a\land\lnot b\land(a'\lor b)) \tag{de Morgan} \\
        &= (a\land\lnot a'\land\lnot b)\lor\underbrace{(b\land\lnot a'\land\lnot b)}_{=\bot}\lor(\lnot a\land\lnot b\land a')\lor\underbrace{(\lnot a\land\lnot b\land b)}_{=\bot} \tag{distributivity} \\
        &= (a\land\lnot a'\land\lnot b)\lor(\lnot a\land\lnot b\land a') \tag{$\bot$ is $\lor$ -neutral} \\
        &= ((a\land\lnot a')\lor(\lnot a\land a'))\land\lnot b \tag{distributivity} \\
        &= (a\oplus a')\land\lnot b \tag{definition}
\end{align*}

This completes the proof. $\qquad\square$

In particular, if $a\oplus a'\in I$, then

(a\lor b)\oplus(a'\lor b) = \underbrace{(a\oplus a')}_{\in I}\land\lnot b\in I

shows that disjunction in $A/I$ is well-defined.

Claim 3.4.iii

Negation transfers over symmetric difference: $(\lnot a)\oplus a' = a\oplus(\lnot a')$.

Proof.
\begin{align*}
    (\lnot a)\oplus a' &= (\lnot a\land\lnot a')\lor(a'\land\lnot(\lnot a)) \tag{definition} \\
        &= (\lnot a\land\lnot a')\lor(a\land a') \tag{double negation}
\end{align*}

By commutativity, the last expression is invariant under swapping $a$ and $a'$, which implies the same for $(\lnot a)\oplus a'$. $\qquad\square$

In particular, if $a\oplus a'\in I$, then

(\lnot a)\oplus(\lnot a') = a\oplus(\lnot\lnot a') = a\oplus a' \in I

This concludes the proof. $\qquad\square$

4. Non-atomic CBAs

Let $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$ be a measure space, and let $L(X) := \Sigma/\mu^{-1}(0)$, where $\mu^{-1}(0)$ is the ideal of null sets from Lemma 3.3. By Lemma 3.4, $L(X)$ defines a Boolean algebra, where the conjunction and disjunction are inherited from the intersection and union of measurable sets.

Theorem 4.1.

Let $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$ be a measure space such that $X = \bigcup_{n=0}^\infty U_n$, where $U_n\in\Sigma$ and $\mu(U_n)\lt\infty$. (Such a measure space is called $\sigma$ -finite).

Then, $L(X)$ is a complete Boolean algebra.

Proof.

We need to show that $L(X)$ admits arbitrary suprema (disjunctions) and infima (conjunctions). Although finite disjunctions and conjunctions in $L(X)$ are inherited from the natural union and intersection, only an absolute buffoon would believe that it extends to arbitrary disjunctions and conjunctions (even if the underlying $\sigma$ -algebra is a complete Boolean algebra).

For organisation purposes, we prove this theorem through a sequence of claims.

Claim 4.1.i.

$L(X)$ has suprema for all countable chains.

Proof.

[!INFO] In any partially-ordered set $(P,\preceq)$, a chain in $P$ is a totally-ordered subset $C\subseteq P$, meaning for all $c_1,c_2\in C$, either $c_1\preceq c_2$ or $c_2\preceq c_1$.

Suppose

[V_0]\preceq[V_1]\preceq[V_2]\preceq\cdots

is a countable chain in $L(X)$ (with chosen representatives in $\Sigma$ for each element, by countable choice).

Then, let $V := \bigcup_{n\geq0}V_n$. We will show that $[V] = \sup_{n\geq0}[V_n]$.

Suppose $[U]\in L(X)$ satisfies $[V_n]\preceq[U]$ ---that is, $\mu(V_n\setminus U) = 0$ ---for every $n\geq0$. Then,

\begin{align*}
    \mu(V\setminus U) &= \mu\left(\left(\bigcup_{n\geq0}V_n\right)\setminus U\right) \\
        &= \mu\left(\bigcup_{n\geq0}(V_n\setminus U)\right) \\
        &\leq \sum_{n\geq0}\underbrace{\mu(V_n\setminus U)}_{=0} \\
        &= 0
\end{align*}

showing that $[V]\preceq[U]$ as well. $\qquad\square$

Claim 4.1.ii.

$L(X)$ has suprema for all well-ordered chains.

Proof.

Since $X$ is $\sigma$ -finite, write $X = \bigcup_{n\geq0}U_n$, where $U_n\in\Sigma$ with $\mu(U_n)\lt\infty$. By replacing $U_n$ with $\bigcup_{m\leq n}U_m$, we may assume that $U_n\subseteq U_m$ for all $n\leq m$.

Let $C\subseteq L(X)$ be a well-ordered chain, meaning that there is some ordinal $\kappa$ such that $C = {[V_\xi] \mid 0\leq \xi \lt \kappa}$, where $[V_\xi]\preceq[V_\zeta]$ for every $\xi\leq\zeta$. Using choice, fix representatives for each element of $C$ as well.

Let $V_\xi^n := V_\xi\cap U_n$. We will first show that each $C^n := {[V_\xi^n] \mid 0\leq\xi\lt\kappa}$ admits a supremum.

Since each $V_\xi^n$ has finite measure, bounded by $\mu(U_n)$, let $\mu^n := \sup_{0\leq\xi\lt\kappa}\mu(V_\xi^n)\in\mathbb{R}$. Now, for each finite $m\geq1$, let

\xi_m^n := \inf\left\{0\leq\xi\lt\kappa ~\middle|~\mu(V_\xi^n)\geq\mu^n-\frac1m\right\}

Then, the $\xi_m^n$ index a countable monotone sequence in $C^n$. By Claim 4.1.i, we can compute the supremum of this countable sequence as the equivalence class of the union $V^n := \bigcup_{m\geq0}V_{\xi_m^n}^n$. We will show that $[V^n]=\sup(C^n)$, for which it suffices to prove that $[V^n]$ is an upper bound of $C^n$, as it is already a supremum of a subset of $C^n$.

If $\mu(V_\xi^n) \lt \mu^n$, then $\xi\leq\xi_m^n$ for some $m\gg0$, and therefore $[V_\xi^n]\preceq [V_{\xi_m^n}^n] \preceq [V^n]$.

On the other hand, if $\mu(V_\xi^n)=\mu^n$, then $\xi_m^n\leq\xi$ for every $m\geq1$, then $[V_{\xi_m^n}^n]\preceq [V_\xi^n]$ for each $m\geq1$, implying that $[V^n]\preceq [V_\xi^n]$. In particular, $\mu(V^n) = \mu(V^n\setminus V_\xi^n) + \mu(V^n\cap V_\xi^n) = \mu(V^n\cap V_\xi^n)$.

This means

\begin{align*}
    \mu^n = \mu(V_\xi^n) &= \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) + \mu(V_\xi^n\cap V^n) \\
        &= \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) + \mu(V^n) \tag{since $[V^n]\preceq[V_\xi^n]$} \\
        &\geq \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) + \mu(V_{\xi_m^n}^n) \quad \forall m\geq1 \\
        &\geq \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) + \mu^n - \frac1m \quad \forall m\geq1 \tag{definition of $\xi_m^n$} \\
\implies\qquad \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) &\leq \frac1m \quad \forall m\geq 1 \\
\implies\qquad \mu(V_\xi^n\setminus V^n) &= 0
\end{align*}

and therefore that $[V_\xi^n]\preceq[V^n]$.

This completes the proof that $[V^n]$ is an upper bound of $C^n$, and is thus its supremum.

Now, we have a countable chain of suprema $[V^n]$ in $L(X)$ for $n\geq0$. By Claim 4.1.i again, if $V := \bigcup_{n\geq0}V^n$, then $[V] = \sup_{n\geq0}[V^n]$ in $L(X)$. We will show, finally, that $[V] = \sup(C)$ also. Again, to this end, it suffices to show that $[V]$ is an upper bound of $C$, as it is already a supremum of elements that precede those of $C$.

Let $V_\xi \in C$. Since $X = \bigcup_{n\geq0}U_n$, we have similarly that $V_\xi = \bigcup_{n\geq0}V_\xi^n$. In particular, $[V_\xi] = \sup_{n\geq0}[V_\xi^n]$. Since $[V_\xi^n]\preceq[V]$ for every $\xi$ and every $n$, it therefore follows that $[V_\xi]\preceq[V]$ as well, as desired. $\qquad\square$

Claim 4.1.iii.

$L(X)$ admits arbitrary suprema.

Proof.

[!WARNING] I hope you like the axiom of choice! πŸ˜ƒ

Let $S\subseteq L(X)$ be arbitrary. By the axiom of choice, enumerate the elements of $S =: {[V_\xi] \mid 0\leq\xi\lt\kappa}$ with ordinals.

Construct a chain $([\tilde V_\xi])_{0\leq\xi\leq\kappa}$ as follows.

  1. $[\tilde V_0] := [\varnothing]$.
  2. Given $[\tilde V_\xi]$, define $[\tilde V_{\xi+1}] := [\tilde V_\xi]\lor [V_\xi]$.
  3. For a limit ordinal $\lambda\leq\kappa$, if we have $[\tilde V_\xi]$ for every $\xi\lt\lambda$, then define $[\tilde V_\lambda] := \sup_{\xi\lt\lambda}[\tilde V_\xi]$ to be the supremum of the chain constructed thus far, by Claim 4.1.ii.

An invariant of this construction is that $[\tilde V_\xi] = \sup_{\zeta\lt\xi}[V_\zeta]$ for every $\xi$.

In particular, $[\tilde V_\kappa] = \sup(S)$. $\qquad\square$

Combining Claim 4.1.iii with de Morgan's laws, this concludes the proof that $L(X)$ is a complete Boolean algebra. $\qquad\square$

Definition 4.2.

Given a complete Boolean algebra $A$, an atom is a minimal non-bottom element of $A$; that is, $a\in A$ is an atom if $a\neq\bot$, and whenever $a'\preceq a$, either $a'=\bot$ or $a'=a$.

A complete Boolean algebra $A$ is called atomic if every element of $A$ is the supremum of some set of atoms.

We are finally in a position to provide an example of a complete Boolean algebra that is not atomic.

Example 4.3.

Suppose $(X, \Sigma, \mu)$ is a $\sigma$ -finite measure space such that for every $U\in\Sigma$, there exists some measurable subset $V\subseteq U$ with $\mu(V) = \frac{\mu(U)}2$.

Then, $L(X)$ has no atoms.

[!INFO] An example of such a measure is the Lebesgue measure on $\mathbb{R}^n$.

@XiaohuWang0921
Copy link

XiaohuWang0921 commented Jan 3, 2025

You thought nobody's gonna read it, but here I am, having already found mistake.
In Definition 1.2, a measure is a function $\mu:\Sigma\to[0,\infty]$, not $\mu:X\to[0,\infty]$.
I wonder if I find more, will you then have to pay penance for your penance? πŸ€”

@davidcallanan
Copy link

This is motivating me to write a maths book.

@GSheaf
Copy link
Author

GSheaf commented Jan 4, 2025

You thought nobody's gonna read it, but here I am, having already found mistake. In Definition 1.2, a measure is a function ΞΌ : Ξ£ β†’ [ 0 , 1 ] , not ΞΌ : X β†’ [ 0 , 1 ] . I wonder if I find more, will you then have to pay penance for your penance? πŸ€”

Hahaha good catch!

@XiaohuWang0921
Copy link

XiaohuWang0921 commented Jan 4, 2025

Right after your proof that an ideal defines an equivalence relation, you also wrote $a\sim_IB$ instead of the correct $a\sim_Ib$. But this is just a minor typo I'm willing to ignore since even non-mathematicians might be able to figure out what you mean 🀷
Also, using \varnothing instead of \emptyset to denote the empty set is just plain antisocial in my opinion 😠

@Atlae
Copy link

Atlae commented Jan 5, 2025

Right after your proof that an ideal defines an equivalence relation, you also wrote a ∼ I B instead of the correct a ∼ I b . But this is just a minor typo I'm willing to ignore since even non-mathematicians might be able to figure out what you mean 🀷 Also, using \varnothing instead of \emptyset to denote the empty set is just plain antisocial in my opinion 😠

But the roundness of \varnothing is so utterly satisfying

@XiaohuWang0921
Copy link

XiaohuWang0921 commented Jan 6, 2025

Right after your proof that an ideal defines an equivalence relation, you also wrote a ∼ I B instead of the correct a ∼ I b . But this is just a minor typo I'm willing to ignore since even non-mathematicians might be able to figure out what you mean 🀷 Also, using \varnothing instead of \emptyset to denote the empty set is just plain antisocial in my opinion 😠

But the roundness of \varnothing is so utterly satisfying

In $\LaTeX$, there are commands like \varepsilon, \varpi and \varphi, which are simply variants of \epsilon, \pi and \phi. So according to this pattern, \varnothing is a variant of \nothing. What is \nothing then? Nothing, literally. It doesn't exist. So what is \varnothing supposed to be? Nobody knows. The name makes no sense, most people simply use it as an alternative to \emptyset, but in that case it's two characters longer to type. And sure, it looks a bit rounder, but are you willing to sacrifice your cat's health just so it can look round and chonky? No, just like I'm not willing to sacrifice my integrity just so my $\LaTeX$ document can look 1% nicer. Besides, I'm a topologist, I don't care about the exact shape anyway, only that they're homeomorphic.

(This is a joke and I'm obviously exaggerating a lot of things. Pls don't take it seriously 😸)

@davidcallanan
Copy link

Woah $\varnothing$ is beautiful. I never knew it existed. It's actually too round and too wide for my liking. If only there was something in between.

@Qmr-l
Copy link

Qmr-l commented Jan 10, 2025

Definition 1.1.

A $\sigma$ -algebra over a set $X$ is a subset $\Sigma\subseteq 2^X$ (that is, a set of subsets of $X$), satisfying:

  1. If $I$ is some countable set ($0\leq|I|\leq\omega$), and $U_i\in\Sigma$ for $i\in I$, then $\bigcup_{i\in I}U_i \in \Sigma$.
  2. If $U\in\Sigma$, then $X\setminus U\in\Sigma$.

A measurable space is a pair $(X, \Sigma)$, where $X$ is some set, and $\Sigma$ is a $\sigma$ -algebra over $X$.

In such a situation, a subset $S\subseteq X$ is called measurable iff $S\in\Sigma$.

Because I understand absolutely none of this whatsoever, the only thing I can critique is your misspelling of if in the last line above 😭

@Atlae
Copy link

Atlae commented Jan 10, 2025

Because I understand absolutely none of this whatsoever, the only thing I can critique is your misspelling of if in the last line above 😭

"iff" is a standard shortening of "if and only if"

@davidcallanan
Copy link

@Qmr-l "iff" is correct spelling, i'm not sure were you joking hahahah

@Qmr-l
Copy link

Qmr-l commented Jan 14, 2025

@Qmr-l "iff" is correct spelling, i'm not sure were you joking hahahah

I think I need to keep my mouth shut 😭

@DillonWalsh
Copy link

Hey (g+)+, I was wondering what note taking software you used to make this. do you have any general tips on making mathematical notes?

@GSheaf
Copy link
Author

GSheaf commented May 18, 2025

@DillonWalsh In the video itself, I typed it up using vscode with the Github Markdown extension, but my general tip for mathematical note-taking is to do it on paper. I reserve LaTeX for cleaner notes or proper writeups. πŸ˜„

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment