[Math] Conditional Expectation given X is measurable wrt to sigma field

measure-theoryprobability theory

If $X$ is $\mathcal{G}$-measurable, then $E(X|\mathcal{G})=X$. I don't understand this. Since $X$ is a random variable, it is measurable to any sub $\sigma$-field of $\mathcal{F}$. Wouldn't the above equation always hold? When is $X$ NOT $\mathcal{G}$-measurable?

The proof for this is: for every $G \in \mathcal{G}$, $\int_{G} X dP = \int_{G} X dP$. I don't understand what $X$ being $\mathcal{G}$ measurable has to to with the proof.

Best Answer

The conditional expectation $E(X|\mathcal G)$ is a random variable determined (up to sets of probability $0$) by two properties: (i) $E(X|\mathcal G)$ is $\mathcal G$-measurable, and (ii) for each $\mathcal G$-measurable set $B$, the integral of $E(X|\mathcal G)$ over $B$ is equal to the integral of $X$ over $B$. If $X$ is itself $\mathcal G$-measurable, then it has these two properties, and so it must be $E(X|\mathcal G)$.

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