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Theory of Statistics - George Mason University

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692 0 Statistical Mathematics<br />

Theorem 0.1.3 (the π-λ theorem)<br />

If P is a π-system and L is a λ-system, and if P ⊆ L, then<br />

σ(P) ⊆ L.<br />

The π-λ theorem is also called Dynkin’s π-λ theorem or Sierpinski’s π-λ theorem.<br />

Pro<strong>of</strong>. We use the given notation and assume the hypothesis. Let LP be the<br />

λ-system generated by P; that is,<br />

LP = λ(P).<br />

LP is the intersection <strong>of</strong> every λ-system that contains P, and it is contained<br />

in every λ-system that contains P. Thus, we have<br />

P ⊆ LP ⊆ L.<br />

It will now suffice to show that LP is also a π-system, because from the result<br />

above, if it is both a π-system and a λ-system it is a σ-field, and it contains<br />

P so it must be the case that σ(P) ⊆ LP because σ(P) is the minimal σ-field<br />

that contains P.<br />

Now define a collection <strong>of</strong> sets whose intersection with a given set is a<br />

member <strong>of</strong> LP. For any set A, let<br />

LA = {B : A ∩ B ∈ LP}.<br />

Later in the pro<strong>of</strong>, for some given set B, we use the symbol “LB” to denote<br />

the collection <strong>of</strong> sets whose intersection with B is a member <strong>of</strong> LP.<br />

If A ∈ LP, then LA is a λ-system, as we see by checking the conditions:<br />

(λ1) A ∩ Ω = A ∈ LP so Ω ∈ LA<br />

(λ ′ 2) If B1, B2 ∈ LA and B1 ⊆ B2, then LP contains A ∩ B1 and A ∩ B2, and<br />

hence contains the difference (A ∩ B2) − (A ∩ B1) = A ∩ (B2 − B1); that<br />

is, B2 − B1 ∈ LA.<br />

(λ3) If B1, B2, . . . ∈ LA and Bi ∩ Bj = ∅ for i = j, then LP contains the<br />

disjoint sets (A ∩ B1), (A ∩ B2), . . . and hence their union A ∩ (∪iBi),<br />

which in turn implies ∪iBi ∈ LA.<br />

Now because P is a π-system,<br />

A, B ∈ P ⇒ A ∩ B ∈ P<br />

⇒ B ∈ LA<br />

⇒ P ⊆ LA<br />

⇒ LP ⊆ LA.<br />

(The last implication follows from the minimality <strong>of</strong> LP and because LA is a<br />

λ-system containing P.)<br />

<strong>Theory</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Statistics</strong> c○2000–2013 James E. Gentle

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