Analysis III (Masstheorie), D-MATH
Fall Semester 2026
Lecturer: Prof. Francesca Da Lio
Exercise hours coordinator: Antonio Marini
- Lecture Notes (These notes will be continuously upadated during the course)
- Class Notes
- Course Webpage
Course Description
This course introduces the modern theory of measure and integration, with particular emphasis on Lebesgue measure and the Lebesgue integral on R^n . Students learn how Lebesgue integration extends the Riemann integral, study its fundamental convergence theorems, and develop the measure-theoretic foundations needed for further study in analysis, probability theory, and functional analysis.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
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Understand the basic structures of measure theory
Define and work with rings, algebras, (\sigma)-algebras, measurable spaces, measures, and measure spaces, and verify their fundamental properties.
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Construct measures from elementary set functions
Understand the construction of measures and apply the Carathéodory criterion and the Carathéodory–Hahn extension theorem to obtain measures.
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Work confidently with Lebesgue measure
Understand the construction and principal properties of Lebesgue measure on R^n, and explain how it extends the classical notions of length, area, and volume.
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Understand measurable functions
Recognize and construct measurable functions, and establish measurability under algebraic operations, limits, suprema, and infima.
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Distinguish the principal notions of convergence
Understand the differences and relations between pointwise convergence, almost-everywhere convergence, uniform convergence, convergence in measure, and L^p-convergence.
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Define and compute the Lebesgue integral
Construct the Lebesgue integral starting from simple functions and extend it to non-negative measurable and integrable functions.
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Apply the main convergence theorems
Recognize when and how to use Fatou’s lemma, the Monotone Convergence Theorem, the Dominated Convergence Theorem, and Vitali’s convergence theorem.
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Compare Lebesgue and Riemann integration
Explain the relationship between the two theories and identify situations in which Lebesgue integration provides a more flexible framework.
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Work with L^p-spaces
Define the spaces L^p(\Omega,\mu), use Hölder’s and Minkowski’s inequalities, and understand the completeness of L^p-spaces.
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Work with product measures and iterated integrals
Construct product measures and apply the Tonelli and Fubini theorems to justify the interchange of integrals and compute multiple integrals.
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Apply the change-of-variables formula
Use the transformation formula for Lebesgue integrals and apply it in concrete calculations in R^n.
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Understand basic properties of convolution
Define convolution, establish its integrability and regularity properties, and recognize its role in approximation and in the study of partial differential equations.
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Become familiar with selected advanced applications
Understand the basic ideas behind Hausdorff measure and dimension, Radon measures, the Lebesgue Differentiation Theorem.
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Develop rigorous proof and problem-solving skills
Formulate precise mathematical arguments, verify the hypotheses of abstract theorems, construct examples and counterexamples, and apply measure-theoretic tools to problems.
Diary of the lectures
| #Week | Date | Content | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16-18.09.2026 | Slides of presentation of the course. Preliminary notations and definitions, limsup, liminf of sequences of sets, limit of monotone sequences of sets, rings, algebras, sigma-algebras, examples. Sigma-algebra of Borel sets, examples, definition of additive and sigma-additive functions | Class Notes | Sections 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 in the Lecture Notes. For curiosity:1) A proof of De Morgan Identities; 2)A Non-Borel set; 3) The Axiom of Choice and its implications in mathematics |
| 2 | 25.09.2025 | Remark 1.2.2 (proof of the fact that an additive function is sigma-additive iff it is subadditive). Definition of a measure and of measurable sets. Proof of Theorem 1.2.10 (the set of measurable sets is a sigma algebra), definition of a measure Space, Exercise 1.2.12., proof of Theorem 1.2.13 (continuity properties of a measure). Definition of a covering. Proof of Theorem 1.2.18 (construction of a measure). Definition of a pre-measure. Examples. Carathéodory-Hahn extension. Statement of Theorem 1.2.20. | Class Notes | Section 1.2.1 & 1.2.2 in the Lecture Notes |
Recommended bibliography (Undergraduate-Master level):
- Lawrence Evans and Ronald Gariepy, Measure Theory and Fine Properties of Functions, Textbooks in Mathematics, CRC Press, 2015.
- Gerald B. Folland, Real Analysis: Modern Techniques and Their Applications
- Michael Struwe, Analysis III: Mass und Integral, Lecture Notes, ETH Zürich, 2013.
- Piermarco Cannarsa and Teresa D'Aprile, Lecture Notes on Measure Theory and Functional Analysis, Lecture Notes, University of Rome, 2006.
- Terence Tao, An Introduction to Measure Theory, American Mathematical Society, 2011.
- Herbert Amann and Joachim Escher, Analysis III, 2009 Birkhäuser Verlag AG.
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Recap of basic topology notions: Chapter 4 in the lecture notes Analysis I and II Michael Struwe
Further reading:
- W.F. Eberlein, Notes on Integration I: The Underlying Convergence Theorem, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 10 (1957), 357–360.
- Ask yourself dumb questions – and answer them! (by Terence Tao);
- Why mathematician Terence Tao thinks AI must spark a rapid revolution, Interview to Terence Tao in [NewScientist] (https://www.newscientist.com/article/2583307-why-mathematician-terence-tao-thinks-ai-must-spark-a-rapid-revolution/)
- How to write Mathematics (by Paul R. Halmos)