On the extension of a Topology to a Sigma-Algebra

Theorem Let X be a non-empty set, and let O be a topology on

X . If the topology O has the additional property that;

a.) If A, B ∈ O, ⇒ A \ B ∈ O.

Then O can, by virtue of which property be extended to a

sigma-algebra on X .

Proof

Let F denote a sigma algebra on X , then F satisfies

the following properties;

1. F ≠ φ.

2. If A ∈ F, then A c ∈ F.

3. If A, B ∈ F, then A  B ∈ F.

4. If ( Ai ) i∞=1 ⊆ F, then  Ai ∈ F.
i =1

We want to use the topology O on X , together with the

property “a.)” to extend O to a sigma-algebra.

O by definition is a topology on X and consequently, is entitled

to the following properties;
α . X ∈ O, and φ∈ O.
n
β. If ( Ai ) n
i =1
⊆ O , then A ∈ O. i
i=
1

∞
γ. If ( Ai ) i∞=1 ⊆ O , then  Ai ∈ O.
i =1
 By “ α . ”, we deduce “1.”, hence O ≠ φ.

By “ γ. ”, and the restriction that Ai = φ whenever i ≥ 3 , we

deduce that; A, B ∈ O, then A  B ∈ O (see this by setting
A = A1 , and B = A2 ) which is exactly condition “3.”;

Condition “4.”, is exactly property “ γ. ”. And hence we have

property “4.”

Thus, under appropriate restrictions and manipulations of the

properties of a topology, we have been able to deduce three
(exactly; “1.”, “3.”, and “4.”) out of the four properties of a
sigma-algebra.

Directly making use of the property “a.” together with the

properties “ α . ”, “ β. ”, and “ γ. ” of the topology O will
“short-circuit” the proof thus leaving us with almost no
demonstration to exhibit. This however is not the true intent of
this proof. To conclude this proof, we must show that;
@ 1 .“a.”
does not violate the very structure or construct of a
topology.
@2 .
O together with property “a.” can be extended to a
sigma-algebra.

The essence of the demonstration of “ @1 ” is to show that this

condition can be derived with the properties of a topology. We
demonstrate below:

Statement 1

a.) If A, B ∈ O, ⇒ A \ B ∈ O.

Proof

Let A and B be such that A, B ∈ O. Then without loss

of generality, we can set A = A1 , and B = A2 with ( Ai ) i∞=1 ⊆ O.
 ∴A\B = A1 \ A2 ⊆ A1 ∈ O whence A \ B ∈ O (By the
just exhibited transitive relation).

We let Bi = Ai \ Ai +1 i ≥ 1 , with i ∈ N.

Clearly, by this construct, we observe that;

∞ ∞
B1 ⊆ A1 , B2 ⊆ A2 , …, Bk ⊆ Ak , … with k ∈ N, and  Bx =  Ax ∈ O
x =1 x =1

(By “ γ. ”).

If we place the constraint that: Ak = φ, k ≥ 3 with k ∈ N then we

obtain that;
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

 Bx ∈ O. (As  Bx = Ax , and Ax ∈ O (By “ γ. ”).)

x =1 x =1 x =1 x =1

Whence, by “ γ. ” again, Bk k ∈ N is such that Bk ∈ O. Therefore

in particular;
B1 = A1 \ A2 ∈ O (as k ∈ N).Thus, justifying the property “a.”
Hence, A, B ∈ O, ⇒ A \ B ∈ O.

Statement 2

O together with property “a.” can be extended to a sigma-

algebra.

Proof

We, at the beginning of the proof of this theorem,

proceeded by showing the truth of the fact that the properties
“1.”, “3.”, and “4.” of a sigma-algebra were also satisfied by the
topology O, either as a direct replication, or appropriate
restrictions of which structure’s properties. To complete this
proof, we only need show that the topology O under
consideration, together with property “a.” satisfies property
“2.”
 By “a.”, if D and D1 ∈ O , then D \ D1 ∈ O. In particular,
we set D = X and D1 = A and we obtain;

X , A ∈ O ⇒ X \ A ∈ O.

X ∈ O is true since O is a topology on X (Or by “ α .

”).

A ∈ O⇒ A ⊆ X ∴ Ac = X \ A ⊆ X ∈ O (where the “short-

circuit”)

Hence, A ∈ O ⇒ A c ∈ O (which is exactly condition “2.”)

Thus, haven shown that, the topology O satisfies the properties

“1.” Through “4.” by associating property “a.” to the properties
“ α . ”, “ β. ”, and “ γ. ” we can only exclaim… EUREKA!!!

Q.E.D