# A.E. Equal Positive Measurable Functions have Equal Integrals

## Theorem

Let $\struct {X, \Sigma, \mu}$ be a measure space.

Let $f, g: X \to \overline \R_{\ge 0}$ be positive $\mu$-measurable functions.

Suppose that $f = g$ almost everywhere.

Then:

$\displaystyle \int f \rd \mu = \int g \rd \mu$

### Corollary

Let $f: X \to \overline \R$ be a $\mu$-integrable function, and $g: X \to \overline \R$ be measurable.

Suppose that $f = g$ almost everywhere.

Then $g$ is also $\mu$-integrable, and:

$\displaystyle \int f \rd \mu = \int g \rd \mu$

## Proof

Let $N$ be the set defined by:

$N = \set {x \in X: \map f x \ne \map g x}$

By hypothesis, $N$ is a $\mu$-null set.

If $N = \O$, then $f = g$, trivially implying the result.

If $N \ne \O$, then by Set with Relative Complement forms Partition:

$X = N \cup \paren {X \setminus N}$

Now:

 $\ds \int f \rd \mu$ $=$ $\ds \int f \chi_X \rd \mu$ Characteristic Function of Universe $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int f \chi_{N \cup \paren {X \setminus N} } \rd \mu$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int \map f {\chi_N + \chi_{X \setminus N} } \rd \mu$ Characteristic Function of Union $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int f \chi_N \rd \mu + \int f \chi_{X \setminus N} \rd \mu$ Integral of Integrable Function is Additive $\ds$ $=$ $\ds 0 + \int f \chi_{X \setminus N} \rd \mu$ Integral of Integrable Function over Null Set $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int g \chi_{X \setminus N} \rd \mu$ Definition of $N$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int g \chi_N \rd \mu + \int g \chi_{X \setminus N} \rd \mu$ Integral of Integrable Function over Null Set $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int \map g {\chi_N + \chi_{X \setminus N} } \rd \mu$ Integral of Integrable Function is Additive $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int g \chi_X \rd \mu$ Characteristic Function of Union $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \int g \rd \mu$ Characteristic Function of Universe

which establishes the result.

$\blacksquare$