Basic Measure Theory

Abstract

In this chapter, we lay the measure theoretic foundations of probability theory. We introduce the classes of sets (semirings, rings, algebras, σ-algebras) that allow for a systematic treatment of events and random observations. Using the measure extension theorem, we construct measures, in particular probability measures on σ-algebras. Finally, we define random variables as measurable maps and study the σ-algebras generated by certain maps.