[Math] General condition that Riemann and Lebesgue integrals are the same

improper-integralsintegrationlebesgue-integralmultivariable-calculusriemann sum

I'd like to know that when Riemann integral and Lebesgue integral are the same in general. I know that a bounded Riemann integrable function on a closed interval is Lebesgue integrable and two integrals are the same.

However, I want to know as general as possible condition for two integrals to be the same. For example, in terms of improper integrals, unbounded functions and $\mathbb R^n$ space.

Any answer would be helpful. Thank you.

Best Answer

Although this doesn't fully satisfy all your requests, I think it will be useful to state a theorem which appears in some similar form in Folland's Real Analysis (I believe 2.28, though I might be wrong):

Theorem: Suppose that $f:[a,b] \to \Bbb{R}$ is bounded. Then:

1) If $f$ if Riemann integrable, then $f$ is Lebesgue measurable and the Riemann integral $\int_a^b f(x) \, dx$ equals the Lebesgue integral $\int_{[a,b]} f \, d\mu$ (where $\mu$ is Lebesgue measure).

2) Further $f$ is Riemann integrable if and only if the set of discontinuities of $f$ is a $\mu$-null set.

End Theorem

Let me make another point about a difference in Riemann and Lebesgue integration from a geometric standpoint. If you notice, the Lebesgue integral $\int_{[a,b]} f \, d\mu$ has no "orientation" with respect to the interval $[a,b]$, whereas the Riemann integral $\int_a^b f(x)\,dx$ we interpret as "the integral of $f$ from $a$ to $b$" and, in fact, we have $\int_a^b = - \int_b^a$ for Riemann integrals. To further investigate this point, I'd suggest looking into differential geometry; in this context $dx$ would play the role of the "Riemann volume form" on $\Bbb{R}$ which depends on this orientation, whereas $d\mu$ is an honest measure and doesn't require orientation.

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