# Calculating the Lebesgue and Riemann integrals

Given $$f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{1}{q} & \text{if}~~ x = \frac{p}{q},(p,q)=1 ~,p\leqslant q, \text{is rational},~ 0\leqslant x \leqslant 1 \\ 0 & \text{if}~~ x ~~\text{is irrrational}, 0\leqslant x \leqslant 1 \end{cases}$$ I want to find both the Lebesgue and the Riemann integral of $f(x)$.

this is my attempt.

For the Lebesgue integral, I define $f(x) = 1\cdot 1_{\mathbf{Q}\cap [0,1]} +0\cdot 1_{[0,1]\setminus \mathbf{Q}}$. Then \begin{align*} \int_0^1 f(x)dx & = 1\cdot \mu(\mathbf{Q}\cap [0,1]) + 0 \\ & = 0 . \end{align*} where $\mu$ is the Lebesgue measure.

I think the Riemann integral should also be $0$. Here is what I've done.
Let $P$ be a partition of $[0,1]$. Then since the irrationals are dense in $[0,1]$, every subinterval of $P$ will have a point where $f(x) = 0$. So the lower sum, $L(f,P) = 0.$ Thus $$\underline{\int_0^1} f(x) dx = \sup L(f,P) = 0.$$

Going with my guess, $\overline{\int_0^1} f(x)dx$ should also be 0$, but I don't know how to get it. so I want help with it. Also, is what I've done above alright? - this may help. – David Mitra Mar 14 '12 at 16:36 In your treatment of the Lebesgue integral, you state a wrong equality for$f(x)$. But you do have$f(x)=0$a.e., so it comes out okay. It is useful to know that when the Riemann and Lebesgue integrals both exist, they must yield the same value. – Harald Hanche-Olsen Mar 14 '12 at 16:41 @HaraldHanche-Olsen: I fixed it. – Joe Mar 14 '12 at 16:51 @DavidMitra: Thanks for the link. – Joe Mar 14 '12 at 16:57 add comment ## 1 Answer Quick hint: For any$\varepsilon>0$, there are only a finite number of point$x\in[0,1]$with$f(x)>\varepsilon$. That should let you get at the upper Riemann sum. More precisely, make a step function whose value is$\varepsilon$in most of$[0,1]$, but takes on bigger values near those points where$f(x)>\varepsilon\$. It can take the bigger values in intervals as short as you wish, and since there are only a finite number of points to take care of, this should get you there.

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could you please expand on the hint? thanks.. –  Joe Mar 14 '12 at 16:58
Done. Do you get it on your own now? Drawing a picture should help. –  Harald Hanche-Olsen Mar 15 '12 at 12:57