When the sample space Ω is finite or countable, a suitable sigma-algebra should typically contain all singletons, meaning sets of the form {x} for every x∈Ω. This allows probabilities to be assigned to all individual outcomes.
Conditions: Ω is finite or countable.; The goal is to assign probabilities to individual outcomes.
When the sample space Ω is finite or countable, a suitable sigma-algebra should typically contain all singletons, meaning sets of the form {x} for every x∈Ω. This allows probabilities to be assigned to all individual outcomes.
Conditions: Ω is finite or countable.; The goal is to assign probabilities to individual outcomes.
Finite unions are not enough because many natural events in probability involve infinitely many outcomes. A sigma-algebra must be closed under countable unions to ensure that events formed by collecting infinitely many individual outcomes remain measurable.
Conditions: The sample space may be countably infinite.; Events of interest may require combining infinitely many outcomes.
Finite unions are not enough because many natural events in probability involve infinitely many outcomes. A sigma-algebra must be closed under countable unions to ensure that events formed by collecting infinitely many individual outcomes remain measurable.
Conditions: The sample space may be countably infinite.; Events of interest may require combining infinitely many outcomes.
A sigma-algebra is closed under countable intersections because any countable intersection can be rewritten in terms of complements and countable unions using De Morgan's law. Since a sigma-algebra is already closed under complements and countable unions, it must also be closed under countable intersections.
Conditions: Each Ak∈F.; F is closed under complements and countable unions.
A sigma-algebra is closed under countable intersections because any countable intersection can be rewritten in terms of complements and countable unions using De Morgan's law. Since a sigma-algebra is already closed under complements and countable unions, it must also be closed under countable intersections.
Conditions: Each Ak∈F.; F is closed under complements and countable unions.