[Math] Seeking counterexample for Dominated Convergence theorem

integrationmeasure-theory

In the Dominated Convergence Theorem, we usually assume that $|f_n| \le g$ for some integrable function $g$. However, what is a counter-example where $f_n$ are not dominated by an integrable function but only by their pointwise limit itself, $f$?

That is, $|f_n| \le f$ for all $n$, and $f$ is merely measurable, and the limit of the sequence $(f_n)$ of measurable functions?

EDIT: Or does one not exist?

Best Answer

Take $g_n = |g_n| = n\Bbb 1_{\left(\frac{1}{n+1},\frac{1}{n}\right)}$. Since the supports of these functions intersect no where, with $f_n = |f_n|= \sum_1^k g_k$, the best dominating function is the point wise limit

$$f = \sum_{n=1}^∞ n \Bbb 1_{\left(\frac{1}{n+1},\frac{1}{n}\right)} $$ which is not (lebesgue) integrable, $$∫_ℝ f = ∫_0^1 f = \sum_{n=1}^{∞}\int_{\frac{1}{n+1}}^\frac{1}{n}n = ∞$$

A more easily defined family that has the same behavior is $f_n = \frac{\Bbb 1_{|x|>1/n}}{|x|}$.