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15 results · all verified · 7 also independently AI-judged
Every result on this page is machine-checked by a proof checker and read in full and owner-audited; the judge is an additional, independent cross-model AI review of the proofs. The 8 not AI-judged were verified by owner audit (typically over a confirmed judge false positive), not failures.

Signed and Complex Measures Hahn and Jordan — Examples

1 · Prerequisites

2 · Summary

The companion page keeps the concrete decompositions and the failure modes next to the theorem chain: atomic and density examples first, then the exact nonuniqueness seam for Hahn sets, the gap between ν(E) and ν(E), and the finite-partition or finite-additivity claims that break when their missing hypotheses are removed.

3 · Logical flowchart

4 · Definitions, theorems and proofs

None yet.

5 · Examples, counterexamples and false statements

ExampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

The signed measure delta_1 minus delta_-1 has the obvious Hahn and Jordan decomposition

Example

On (R,B(R)), let ν:=δ1δ1. Then P=R{1} is positive, N={1} is negative, and ν+=δ1,ν=δ1,ν=δ1+δ1.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The Dirac set functions δ1 and δ1.

[L1]

The Dirac set function at a point is the indicator-valued set function on measurable sets. (The Dirac set function at a point)

[L2]

Hahn decomposition splits a signed measure into a positive part and a negative part, and Jordan decomposition records the corresponding measures. (Hahn decomposition for signed measures, unique up to total-variation-null sets, Jordan decomposition of a signed measure into unique mutually singular positive parts)

Verification

technique · direct
1.1

By [L1], for every measurable E one has [L1, L2] ν(E)=1E(1)1E(1). If EP is measurable, then 1E, so ν(E)=1E(1)0. If EN is measurable, then 1E, so ν(E)=1E(1)0. Thus P is positive and N is negative.

L1L2
2.1

Since R=PN, step 1.1 gives a Hahn decomposition. [L2, step 1.1] The Jordan measures are therefore δ1 and δ1, so ν=δ1+δ1 by [L2]. ∎

ExampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

The signed measure with density sin x on [0,2pi] exhibits the nonuniqueness of Hahn decompositions

Example

Let λ be Lebesgue measure on [0,2π] and define ν(E):=Esinxdλ(EB([0,2π])). Then P0=(0,π),N0={0}[π,2π] is a Hahn decomposition, and so is P1=[0,π],N1=(π,2π], because the points 0 and π are ν-null.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The signed measure ν(E)=Esinxdλ on [0,2π].

[L1]

A real L1 density defines a finite signed measure whose canonical Hahn sets are {f>0} and {f0}. (A real L^1 density defines a finite signed measure with its canonical Hahn and Jordan data)

[L2]

Hahn decompositions are unique only up to null sets. (Hahn decomposition for signed measures, unique up to total-variation-null sets)

[A1]

On [0,2π], one has sinx>0 on (0,π), sinx<0 on (π,2π), and sinx=0 exactly at 0,π,2π.

Verification

technique · direct
1.1

By [A1], the density theorem [L1] makes (0,π) positive and {0}[π,2π] negative for ν. Thus P0,N0 is a Hahn decomposition.

L1A1
2.1

The points 0 and π are ν-null because sinx=0 there. Moving those null points from N0 to P1 preserves positivity and negativity, so P1,N1 is another Hahn decomposition. It is distinct from P0,N0 and compatible with the uniqueness clause of [L2].

L2A1step 1.1
ExampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

An atomic signed measure on Z has total variation three

Example

On P(Z), define ν(A):=kA(1)k2k. Then ν is a finite signed measure, its positive set is the even integers, its negative set is the odd integers, and ν(Z)=kZ2k=3.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The set function ν(A)=kA(1)k2k on P(Z).

[A1]

The absolutely summable series kZ2k equals 1+2n12n=3.

Verification

technique · direct
1.1

The defining series is absolutely convergent on every subset of [L1, A1] Z, so ν is countably additive. If E contains only even integers, then every term in the series for ν(E) is nonnegative; if E contains only odd integers, every term is nonpositive. Thus the even integers form a positive set and the odd integers form a negative set.

2.1

The Jordan positive part is therefore the even-atom measure [L1, A1, step 1.1] ∎ ν+(A)=kA, k even2k and the negative part is ν(A)=kA, k odd2k. Hence [L1] gives ν(Z)=ν+(Z)+ν(Z)=kZ2k=3 by [A1].

ExampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

Cantor measure minus Lebesgue measure on [0,1] is already in Jordan form

Example

Assume the Axiom of Countable Choice. Let μc be the Cantor measure and let λ0(E):=λ(E[0,1]). Then ν:=μcλ0 is a signed measure whose Jordan decomposition is already ν+=μc,ν=λ0.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The Cantor measure μc and the restricted Lebesgue measure λ0 on [0,1].

[L1]

The Cantor measure is a singular probability measure concentrated on the Cantor set C, and λ(C)=0. (The Cantor measure is a singular atomless probability measure concentrated on the Cantor set)

[L2]

Jordan decomposition is the unique decomposition of a signed measure into mutually singular positive parts. (Jordan decomposition of a signed measure into unique mutually singular positive parts)

Verification

technique · direct
1.1

By [L1], μc vanishes on measurable subsets of RC, [L1, L2] while λ0 vanishes on measurable subsets of C because λ(C)=0. Thus μcλ0. Both are positive measures, so ν=μcλ0 is a signed measure already written as a difference of mutually singular positive measures.

2.1

The uniqueness clause in [L2] now forces [L2, step 1.1] ∎ ν+=μc,ν=λ0. Hence μcλ0 is already in Jordan form.

ExampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

The complex density e^{ix} dlambda has total variation 2pi

Example

On B([0,2π]), define ν(E):=Eeixdλ. Then ν is a complex measure and ν([0,2π])=02πeixdx=2π.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The density h(x)=eix on [0,2π].

[L1]

A complex L1 density h defines a complex measure with ν(E)=Ehdμ. (A complex L^1 density defines a complex measure whose total variation is |h| dmu)

[A1]

One has eix=1 for every real x.

Verification

technique · direct
1.1

The function h(x)=eix is bounded on the finite interval [0,2π], [L1, A1] so it lies in L1(λ). Therefore [L1] makes ν(E)=Eeixdλ a complex measure.

2.1

Applying [L1] and then [A1] on the whole interval gives [L1, A1, step 1.1] ∎ ν([0,2π])=02πeixdx=02π1dx=2π.

CounterexampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

Finite partitions need not attain complex total variation

Statement refuted

For every complex measure, some finite measurable partition attains the total-variation supremum.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The complex measure ν(E)=Eeixdλ on [0,2π].

[L1]

For this measure, ν([0,2π])=2π. (A complex L^1 density defines a complex measure whose total variation is |h| dmu)

[A1]

If A[0,2π] has positive Lebesgue measure, then Aeixdλ<λ(A), because equality in the triangle inequality would force eix to have constant argument almost everywhere on A.

[A2]

For every ε>0 there is a countable partition of [0,2π] into intervals (In) so short that nIneixdλ>2πε.

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1

Let E1,,Em be a finite measurable partition of [0,2π]. Every [L1, A1] piece of positive measure satisfies the strict inequality from [A1], and the null pieces contribute 0. Therefore j=1mν(Ej)<j=1mλ(Ej)=2π. So no finite partition attains the total variation value 2π.

L1A1
2.1

By [A2], countable partitions can produce sums arbitrarily close to 2π. [L1, A2, step 1.1] Combining this with step 1.1 and [L1] shows that the total-variation value 2π is not attained by any finite partition. ∎

CounterexampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

Moving a total-variation-null set changes a Hahn decomposition

Statement refuted

A Hahn decomposition is literally unique, not merely unique up to total-variation-null sets.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The zero signed measure ν0 on the discrete measurable space (X,P(X)), where X={0,1}.

[L1]

Hahn decompositions are unique only up to null sets. (Hahn decomposition for signed measures, unique up to total-variation-null sets)

[L2]

A set is null exactly when its total variation is 0. (A set is null for a signed measure exactly when its total variation is zero there)

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1

Because every measurable subset of X has ν-value 0, every [L1] measurable set is both positive and negative. Thus P0=, N0=XandP1={0}, N1={1} are both Hahn decompositions.

2.1

The two decompositions are different, but the moved set {0} is [L1, L2, step 1.1] ∎ ν-null and therefore has total variation 0 by [L2]. This is exactly the allowed nonuniqueness in [L1].

CounterexampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

Total variation can exceed the absolute value of the set value

Statement refuted

For every signed measure or complex measure and every measurable set E, one has ν(E)=ν(E).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The signed measure ν=δ1δ1 on the discrete measurable space (E,P(E)), where E={1,1}.

[L1]

The Dirac set function at a point is the indicator-valued measurable set function. (The Dirac set function at a point)

[L2]

Total variation is the supremum of countable partition sums of ν(En). (The total variation |nu|(E) from countable measurable partitions)

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1

By [L1], one has ν(E)=δ1(E)δ1(E)=11=0, so [L1] ν(E)=0.

2.1

The two singletons {1} and {1} form a measurable partition of [L1, L2, step 1.1] ∎ E, and [L1] gives ν({1})+ν({1})=1+1=2. Therefore [L2] yields ν(E)2>0=ν(E), refuting the claim.

CounterexampleConstruction: AI-generatedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

A finitely additive finite-valued set function can have infinite total variation

Statement refuted

Every finitely additive finite-valued set function has finite total variation.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The algebra A of finite disjoint unions of half-open intervals (a,b](0,1] and the function g(x)=xsin(1/x2) for x>0, with g(0)=0.

[A1]

Here "finitely additive" means ϕ()=0 and ϕ(AB)=ϕ(A)+ϕ(B) for disjoint A,B in the domain algebra.

[A2]

Define ϕ((a,b]):=g(b)g(a) and extend by finite additivity to A. Then ϕ is finite-valued on every member of A.

[A3]

For un=(2πn+π/2)1/2 and vn=(2πn+3π/2)1/2, one has g(un)=un and g(vn)=vn, so g(un)g(vn)=un+vn. The series n(un+vn) diverges.

[A4]

For a finitely additive real-valued set function on an algebra, its total variation on E means ϕ(E):=sup{j=1mϕ(Ej):E=j=1mEj, EjA}.

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1

By [A2], the value of ϕ on a finite disjoint union of half-open intervals is the sum of the endpoint increments of g, so [A1] makes ϕ a finitely additive finite-valued set function on A.

A1A2
2.1

For each N, partition the interval (0,u1] by the ordered points 0<<vN<uN<<v1<u1. The resulting finite partition sum for ϕ is at least n=1Ng(un)g(vn)=n=1N(un+vn). By [A3], these lower bounds diverge with N, so [A4] gives ϕ((0,u1])=+ even though every value of ϕ is finite.

A2A3A4
False statementConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: a signed measure can take both +infinity and -infinity

Statement

False claim. A signed measure may take the value + on one measurable set and the value on another.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The definition of a signed measure.

[L1]

A signed measure takes at most one infinite sign. (A signed measure is countably additive and takes at most one infinite value)

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

The displayed claim asserts exactly the negation of the second clause in [L1] [L1].

2.1

Therefore no signed measure satisfies the claim, and the statement is [L1, step 1.1] ∎ false.

False statementConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: a Hahn decomposition is unique

Statement

False claim. Every signed measure has exactly one Hahn decomposition.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The zero signed measure ν0 on the discrete measurable space (X,P(X)), where X={0,1}.

[L1]

Hahn decompositions are unique only up to null sets. (Hahn decomposition for signed measures, unique up to total-variation-null sets)

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

Every measurable subset of X is both positive and negative for the zero [L1] measure, so both Xand{0}{1} are Hahn decompositions.

2.1

These decompositions are different, so exact uniqueness fails. This is [L1, step 1.1] ∎ compatible with [L1] because the differing set is null.

False statementConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: total variation always equals the absolute value of the set value

Statement

False claim. For every signed measure or complex measure and every measurable set E, one has ν(E)=ν(E).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The signed measure ν=δ1δ1 on the discrete measurable space (E,P(E)), where E={1,1}.

[L1]

The Dirac set function at a point is indicator-valued. (The Dirac set function at a point)

[L2]

Total variation is the supremum of measurable partition sums. (The total variation |nu|(E) from countable measurable partitions)

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

By [L1], one has ν(E)=0, so ν(E)=0.

L1
2.1

The partition E={1}{1} gives partition sum [L1, L2, step 1.1] ∎ ν({1})+ν({1})=2, so [L2] yields ν(E)2. Hence ν(E)ν(E).

False statementConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: agreement on a generating pi-system always determines a signed measure

Statement

False claim. If two signed measures agree on a generating pi-system, then they agree on the whole generated sigma-algebra.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The two-point space X={0,1} with sigma-algebra P(X), and the family P:={{0}}.

[L1]

A pi-system is a nonempty family closed under binary intersections. (Pi-systems)

[L2]

A signed measure is any countably additive set function with the at-most-one-infinite-sign convention. (A signed measure is countably additive and takes at most one infinite value)

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

The family P={{0}} is a pi-system by [L1], and [L1, L2] σ(P)=P(X) because complements and unions recover {1} and X. Define signed measures μ(A):=0,ν(A):=1A(1). They agree on the generating pi-system element {0}.

2.1

However μ({1})=0 while ν({1})=1, so the signed measures are not [L2, step 1.1] ∎ equal on the generated sigma-algebra. Therefore the claim is false.

False statementConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: finite values and finite additivity force finite total variation

Statement

False claim. Every finitely additive finite-valued set function has finite total variation.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The interval algebra A on (0,1], the function g(x)=xsin(1/x2), and the set function ϕ((a,b])=g(b)g(a).

[A1]

Here "finitely additive" means ϕ()=0 and ϕ(AB)=ϕ(A)+ϕ(B) for disjoint A,B in the source algebra.

[A2]

The points un=(2πn+π/2)1/2 and vn=(2πn+3π/2)1/2 satisfy g(un)g(vn)=un+vn, and n(un+vn) diverges.

[A3]

For a finitely additive real-valued set function on an algebra, define ϕ(E):=sup{j=1mϕ(Ej):E=j=1mEj, EjA}.

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

The endpoint-increment formula makes ϕ finitely additive on A, and every value of ϕ is a finite real number.

A1
2.1

Using the partition points from [A2] gives finite partition sums bounded below by n=1N(un+vn) for arbitrarily large N. Because those lower bounds diverge, [A3] gives infinite total variation.

A2A3step 1.1
False statementConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-30Open item page →

FALSE: finite partitions always suffice for complex total variation

Statement

False claim. For every complex measure, some finite measurable partition of each measurable set attains the total variation.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The complex measure ν(E)=Eeixdλ on [0,2π].

[L1]

For this measure, ν([0,2π])=2π. (A complex L^1 density defines a complex measure whose total variation is |h| dmu)

[A1]

If A[0,2π] has positive measure, then Aeixdλ<λ(A).

Refutation

technique · direct
1.1

Let E1,,Em be any finite measurable partition of [0,2π]. [L1, A1] Applying [A1] on each positive-measure piece and summing gives j=1mν(Ej)<j=1mλ(Ej)=2π.

2.1

By [L1], the total variation of the whole interval is exactly 2π, so [L1, step 1.1] ∎ step 1.1 shows that no finite partition attains it. Therefore the claim is false.

Sources