Cantor PDF
Cantor PDF
75
Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
Random measure [12]. In this paper, we discuss the construction and some properties of
generalized Cantor set. We show that this special type of set is measurable set, Borel set
as well as Borel measurable whose Lebesgue measure is zero. We also prove several
interesting lemma, theorems, and propositions relating to generalized Cantor set.
2. Preliminaries
Definition 2.1. A non empty set R is called a Cantor set if
(a) is closed and bounded. (b) contains no intervals.
(c) Every point in is an accumulation point of .
Definition 2.2. The outer measure of any interval I on R with endpoints a b is
b a and is denoted as ( I ) b a. A set E R is said to be outer measure (or
measurable) if, for all A R one has ( A) ( A E ) ( A E ).
Definition 2.3. The inner measure of any set A E , denoted ( A), is defined as
( A) ( E ) ( E \ A), where E \ A is the complement of A with respect to E.
Definition 2.4. [7] If E is a measurable set, we define the Lebesgue measure (E ) to
be the outer measure of E. That is, ( E ) ( E ).
Definition 2.8. The Borel -algebra of a set X is the smallest -algebra of X that
contains all of the open balls in X . Any element of a Borel -algebra is a Borel set.
Definition 2.9. Let X be a set and be a collection of subsets of X . Then ( X , ) be a
topological space [10]. The Borel or topological -algebra B ( ) of a topological space
( X , ) is the -algebra generated by .
Theorem 2.10. Every Borel set is measurable. In particular each open set and each closed
set is measurable.
Proof: The proof can be found in Real Analysis [5].
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Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
Definition 2.11. Let X [a, b] be a closed set and let be a collection of subsets of X . A set
function on (i.e. : [0, ] is called a measure if the following properties hold:
1. 0 ( A) b a for all A 2. ( ) 0
3. ( A) ( B ) for all A, B , A B
4. If A1 , A2 , A3 , are in , with Ai A j for i j ,
i ( Ai ). The pair (X , ) is called a measurable space and the
then ( A) A
i 1 i 1
triple (X , , ) is a measure space.
3. Generalized Cantor set (Cantor middle , ( 2 m ) set)
2m 1
1
3.1.1. Construction of the Cantor middle set
3
We start with the closed interval 0 [0, 1].
0
0 1
1 2
Remove the middle open third. This leaves a new set 1 [0, ] [ ,1].
3 3
1
0 1 3 2 3 1
Each iteration through the algorithm removes the open middle third from each segment of
the previous iteration. Thus the next set would be
1 2 1 2 7 8
2 [0, ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , 1].
9 9 3 3 9 9
0
0 1
1
0 1
2
1
2
3 3
0 1
2
1
2
7
8
1
9 9 3 3 9 9
3
0 1
2
1
2
7
8
1
9 9 3 3 9 9
1
Figure 3.1. Construction of the Cantor middle set
3
In general, after n times iterations, we obtain n which as follows
1 2 3 3n 3 3n 2 3n 1
n [0, n ] [ n , n ] [ n , n ] [ n , 1], where n 1.
3 3 3 3 3 3
Therefore we construct a decreasing sequence (n ) of closed sets, that is n1 n for
all n N, so that every n consists of 2 n closed intervals all of which the same leng
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Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
1
. The Cantor ternary set, which we denote C1 / 3 , is the “limiting set” of this process,
3n
1
that is, C1 / 3 n [7] and call it the Cantor middle set.
n 1 3
Alternative process of constructing C1 / 3 is in physical terms as taking a length of
string and repeatedly cutting it into shorter pieces. If we think first piece as the interval
[0,1] and cut it at the points 1/2, then it becomes two pieces of string each with two
endpoints such as the intervals [0,1 / 2], and [1 / 2,1]. In order to make all these pieces
disjoint subsets of R one can image the string as being stretched so tightly that each time
it is cut, it pulls apart at the cut and shrinks to 2 / 3 of its length, so after the first cut,
[0,1 / 2] shrinks to [0,1 / 3], [1 / 2, 1] shrinks to [2 / 3, 1]. Then at the next stage we cut
[0,1 / 3] at the point 1/6, and then two pieces are [0,1 / 6], [1 / 6,1 / 3], shrink to [0,1 / 9]
and [2 / 9,1 / 3]. similarly for the piece [2 / 3, 1], and so on.
1
3.1.2. Properties of the Cantor middle set
3
3.1.2.1. The set C1 / 3 is disconnected
The set C1 / 3 is totally disconnected since it was constructed so as to contain no intervals
other than points. Namely, if C1 / 3 contained an interval of positive length then this
interval would be contained in each n , but n contains no interval of length greater
1 1
than n
so if n is chosen to be large enough so that n is less than , then there is no
3 3
interval of length in n .
Thus, we are removing a length of 1 from the unit interval [0,1] which has a length of 1.
Alternative method:
Note that in the first iteration we removed 1/3, in the second iteration we removed 2/9, in
the third iteration we removed 4/27, and in the fourth iteration we removed 8/81, and so
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Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
1 2
forth. This is a geometric series with first term a and common ratio r . This
3 3
1/ 3
converges, and the sum is S 1.
1 2 / 3
Thus the length of the complement of the set C1 / 3 is equal to 1.
Therefore, the total length of C1/ 3 is 0, which means it has no intervals.
1
3.2.1. Construction of the Cantor middle set
5
We start with the closed interval 0 [0, 1].
0
0 1
Remove the middle open interval (1 / 5, 2 / 5) and (3 / 5, 4 / 5) . This leaves a new set
1 2 3 4
1 [0, ] [ , ] [ , 1].
5 5 5 5
1
0 1 5 2 5 3 5 4 5 1
Each iteration through the algorithm removes the open 2nd and 4th interval from each
segment of the previous iteration. Thus the next set would be
1 2 3 4 1 2 11 12 13
2 [0, ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , ]
25 25 25 25 5 5 25 25 25
14 3 4 21 22 23 24
[ , ] [ , ] [ , ] [ ,1].
25 5 5 25 25 25 27
0
0 1
1
0 1 2 3 4 1
5 5 5 5
2
1 2 3 4
0
5
5
5
5 1
3
0 1
2
3
4
1
5 5 5 5
1
Figure 3.2: Construction of the Cantor middle set
5
In general, after n times iterations, we obtain n which as follows
1 2 3 5n 3 5n 2 5n 1
n [0, ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , 1], where n 1.
5n 5n 5n 5n 5n 5n
Therefore, we construct a decreasing sequence (n ) of closed sets, that is, n1 n for
all n N, so that every n consists of 3 closed intervals all of which the same length
n
1 1
n
. We define C1 / 5 n and call it the Cantor middle set.
5 n 1 5
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Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
Alternative process of constructing C1/ 5 is in physical terms as taking a length of
string and repeatedly cutting it into shorter pieces. If we think first piece as the interval
[0,1] and cut it at the points 1/3 and 2/3, then it becomes three pieces of string each with
two endpoints such as the intervals [0, 1 / 3], [1 / 3, 2 / 3], and [2 / 3, 1]. In order to make
all these pieces disjoint subsets of R one can image the string as being stretched so
tightly that each time it is cut, it pulls apart at the cut and shrinks to 3 / 5 of its length, so
after the first cut, [0, 1 / 3] shrinks to [0, 1 / 5], [1 / 3, 2 / 3] shrinks to [2 / 5, 3 / 5], and
[2 / 3, 1] shrinks to [4 / 5, 1]. Then at the next stage we cut [0,1 / 5] at the points 1/15 and
2/15 and the three pieces [0, 1 / 15], [1 / 15, 2 / 15], and [2 / 15, 1 / 5] shrink to
[0, 1 / 25], [2 / 25, 3 / 25], and [4 / 25, 1 / 5], similarly for the pieces [2 / 5, 3 / 5], and
[4 / 5,1], and so on.
1
3.2.2. Properties of the Cantor middle set
5
3.2.2.1. The set C1/ 5 is disconnected
The set C1/ 5 is totally disconnected since it was constructed so as to contain no intervals
other than points. Namely, if C1/ 5 contained an interval of positive length then this
interval would be contained in each n , but n contains no interval of length greater
1 1
than n
so if n is chosen to be large enough so that n is less than , then there is no
5 5
interval of length in n .
3.2.2.2. The set C1/ 5 contains no intervals
We will show that the length of the complement of the set C1/ 5 is equal to 1, hence C1/ 5
th n 1
contains no intervals. At the n stage, we are removing 2.3 intervals from the
1
previous set of intervals, and each one has length of . The length of the removing
5n
intervals within [0,1] after an infinite number of removals is
1 2 3 n1 2 3 n 2/5
2.3n1 (
n 1 5 n
) ( ) ( )
5 n1 5 5 n 0 5 1 3/ 5
1
Thus, we are removing a length of 1 from the unit interval [0,1] which has a length of 1.
Alternative method:
Note that in the first iteration we removed 2/5, in the second iteration we removed 6/25,
in the third iteration we removed 18/125, and so forth. This is a geometric series with first
2 3 2/5
term a and common ratio r . This converges, and the sum is S 1.
5 5 1 3/ 5
Thus the length of the complement of the set C1/ 5 is equal to 1.
Therefore, the total length of C1/ 5 is 0, which means it has no intervals.
80
Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
1
3.3.1. Construction of the Cantor middle set
7
We start with the closed interval 0 [0, 1].
0
0 1
Remove the middle open interval (1 / 7, 2 / 7), (3 / 7, 4 / 7), and (5 / 7, 6 / 7).
1 2 3 4 5 6
This leaves a new set 1 [0, ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , 1].
7 7 7 7 7 7
1
0 1 7 2 7 3 7 4 7 5 7 6 7 1
Each iteration through the algorithm removes the open 2nd, 4th, and 6th interval from each
segment of the previous iteration. Thus the next set would be
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 46 47 48
2 [0, ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , ] [ , ] [ ,1].
49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49
0
0 1
1
1 2 3 4 5 6
0
7
7
7
7
7
7 1
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1
7 7 7 7 7 7
1
Figure 3.3: Construction of the Cantor middle set
7
In general, after n times iterations, we obtain n which as follows
1 2 3 7n 3 7n 2 7n 1
n [0, n ] [ n , n ] [ n , ] [ n , 1], where n 1.
7 7 7 7 7n 7
Therefore we construct a decreasing sequence (n ) of closed sets, that is, n1 n for all
n N, so that every n consists of 4 n closed intervals all of which the same length
1 1
n
. We define C1/ 7 n and call it the Cantor middle set.
7 n 1 7
1
3.3.2. Properties of the Cantor middle set
7
3.3.2.1. The set C1 / 7 is disconnected
The set C1 / 7 is totally disconnected since it was constructed so as to contain no intervals
other than points. Namely, if C1 / 7 contained an interval of positive length then this
interval would be contained in each n , but n contains no interval of length greater
1 1
than n so if n is chosen to be large enough so that n is less than , then there is no
7 7
interval of length in n .
81
Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
3.3.2.2. The set C1 / 7 contains no intervals
We will show that the length of the complement of the set C1 / 7 is equal to 1, hence C1 / 7
th n 1
contains no intervals. At the n stage, we are removing 3.4 intervals from the
1
previous set of intervals, and each one has length of n .
7
The length of the removing intervals within [0,1] after an infinite number of removals is
n 1 1 3 4 n1 3 4 n 3/ 7
n 1
3 .4 (
7 n
) ( ) ( )
7 n1 7 7 n 0 7 1 4 / 7
1
Thus, we are removing a length of 1 from the unit interval [0,1] which has a length of 1.
Alternative method:
Note that in the first iteration we removed 3/7, in the second iteration we removed 12/49,
in the third iteration we removed 48/343 and so forth. This is a geometric series with first
3 4 3/ 7
term a and common ratio r . This converges, and the sum is S 1.
7 7 1 4 / 7
Thus the length of the complement of the set C1 / 7 is equal to 1.
Therefore, the total length of C1 / 7 is 0, which means it has no intervals.
Similarly, we can construct and show the properties of the Cantor middle
1
, (2 m ) set which is denoted by C1 /( 2 m1) and is called generalized Cantor set.
2m 1
1
3.4.1. Construction of the Cantor middle , (2 m ) set
2m 1
We start with the closed interval 0 [0, 1].
0
0 1
Remove the middle open interval
1 2 3 4 2m 3 2m 2
, , , , , , ,
2m 1 2m 1 2m 1 2m 1 2m 1 2m 1
where 2 m . This leaves a new set 1 which will depend on the value of m.
In general, after n times iterations, we obtain n which as follows:
1 2 3
n [0, ][ , ]
(2m 1) n
(2m 1) (2m 1) n
n
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Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
1 1
. We define C 1 /( 2 m 1) n and call it the Cantor middle set, where
(2m 1) n
n 1 2m 1
2 m or generalized Cantor set.
1
3.4.2. Properties of the Cantor middle set
2m 1
3.4.2.1 The set C1 /( 2 m1) is disconnected
The set C1 /( 2 m1) is totally disconnected since it was constructed so as to contain no
intervals other than points. Namely, if C1 /( 2 m1) contained an interval of positive length
then this interval would be contained in each n , but n contains no interval of length
1 1
greater than so if n is chosen to be large enough so that is less than
(2m 1) n
(2m 1) n
, then there is no interval of length in n .
3.4.2.2. The set C1 /( 2 m1) contains no intervals
We will show that the length of the complement of the set C1 /( 2 m1) is equal to 1, hence
C1 /( 2 m1) contains no intervals. At the n th stage, we are removing (m 1).m n1 intervals
1
from the previous set of intervals, and each one has length of . The length of
(2m 1) n
the removing intervals within [0,1] after an infinite number of removals is
1 m 1 m n1 m 1 m n
(m 1).m
n 1
n 1
(
(2m 1) n
) (
(2m 1) n1 2m 1
) (
(2m 1) n0 2m 1
) 1
Thus, we are removing a length of 1 from the unit interval [0,1] which has a length of 1.
Alternative method:
Note that in the first iteration we removed (m 1) /( 2m 1) , in the second iteration we
removed m(m 1) /(2m 1) 2 , in the third iteration we removed
m 1
m 2 (m 1) /(2m 1) 3 , and so on. This is a geometric series with first term a
2m 1
m
and common ratio r . This converges, and the sum is
2m 1
(m 1) /(2m 1)
S 1. Therefore, the total length of C1 /( 2 m1) is 0, which means it
1 m /(2m 1)
has no intervals.
3.4.2.3. The set C1 /( 2 m1) is nowhere dense
A set S is said to be nowhere dense if the interior of the closure of S is empty. The
closure of the set is the union of the set with the set of limit points. Since every point in
the set C1 /( 2 m1) is a limit point of the set, the closure of the set is simply the set itself.
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Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
The interior of the set C1 /( 2 m1) must be empty, since no two points in the set are adjacent
to each other. Thus the set C1 /( 2 m1) is nowhere dense.
This implies that X \ ( X \ ) , by Axiom (A2) for -algebra.
n
nN
Now using De Morgan’s laws, we have (X \ ) X \
nN
n
nN
n
and X \ ( X \ ) X \ X \
n n n .
nN nN nN
Theorem 4.3. Let X [0, 1] be a closed set and ( X , ) be a topological space. Let
B( ) be the associated Borel -algebra. Let n nN be closed subset in X . Then show
that C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ) is B ( ) -measurable.
Proof: We know C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ).
n Since n nN is closed set in X ,
nN
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Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
Thus C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ) is B ( ) -measurable.
Theorem 4.4. If (C1/( 2 m1) ) lim (n ) 0, then C1/( 2 m1) , (2 m ) has
n
Lebesgue measure zero.
Proof: We know C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ), where
n
nN
1 2 3 (2m 1) n 1
n [0, ] [ , ] [ , 1], (n 1).
(2m 1) n (2m 1) n (2m 1) n (2m 1) n
Now (C1 /( 2 m1) ) lim (n )
n
1 2 3
lim ([0, ][ , ]
n (2m 1) n
(2m 1) (2m 1) n
n
Alternative method:
Theorem 4.5. The generalized Cantor set C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ) is measurable and has
Lebesgue measure zero.
Proof: We know C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ), where
n
nN
1 2 3 (2m 1) n 1
n [0, ] [ , ] [ , 1], (n 1).
(2m 1) n (2m 1) n (2m 1) n (2m 1) n
By Lemma 4.1, C1 /( 2 m1) is a Borel set as well as measurable set. From the construction
of C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ), we remove (m 1).m n1 disjoint intervals from each previous
segments and each having length 1 /(2m 1) n , where n 1.
Thus we will remove a total length
85
Md. Jahurul Islam and Md. Shahidul Islam
1 m 1
(m 1).m n1.
n 1 ( 2 m 1) n
2 m 1
n 1
(m /( 2m 1)) n1
m 1
m 1 1
2m 1 n 0
(m /(2m 1)) n
2m 1 1 m /(2m 1)
1.
Therefore, C1 /( 2 m1) is obtained by removing a total length 1 from the unit interval [0, 1].
Thus ( I \ C1 /( 2 m1) ) 1. Since ( I ) (C1 /( 2 m1) ) ( I \ C1 /( 2 m1) ), then (C1 /( 2 m1) ) 0.
Thus C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ) has Lebesgue measure zero.
Hence C1 /( 2 m1) , (2 m ) is measurable and has Lebesgue measure zero.
Proposition 4.6. Let (n ) be an infinite decreasing sequence of each measurable sets
C1 /( 2 m1) , that is, a sequence with n1 n for each n, and (1 ) be finite. Then
i lim (n ) for C1/( 2 m1) , where 2 m .
i 1 n
Proof: Since (n ) nN is an infinite decreasing sequence of each measurable set C1 /( 2 m1) ,
C1 /( 2 m1) i , where 2 m . Let i i ~ i 1 .
i 1
Then 1 ~ C1 /( 2 m1) i and the sets i are pair wise disjoint.
i 1
(1 ~ C1 /( 2 m1) ) i ( i ) (i ~ i 1 ) (1)
i 1 i 1 i 1
Alternative method:
Proposition 4.7. If X [0, 1] is a closed and is a collection of subsets of X , then
( X , ) is a measurable space. If i , (1 ) and i 1 i , then
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Lebesgue Measure of Generalized Cantor Set
i lim (n ) for C1/( 2 m1) , where 2 m .
i 1 n
Proof: Since C1 /( 2 m1) i , then 1 C1/( 2m1) (i ~ i1 ), and this is a disjoint
i 1 i 1
union. Hence (1 ) (C1 /( 2 m1) ) (
i 1
i ~ i 1 ) (2)
5. Concluding remarks
We have shown that generalized Cantor set is measurable set, Borel set as well as Borel
measurable whose Lebesgue measure is zero. Also we have proved several interesting
lemma, theorems and propositions relating to generalized Cantor set. These results may
be extended to Metric space, Banach space and Hilbert space.
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