# Measurable and Borel Measurable Functions

Prove that if $f: X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is measurable, and $g: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^*$ is Borel measurable

then $g \circ f:X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^*$ is measurable.

Could someone please explain to me first, what it means for a function to be Borel Measurable, I can't seem to find an exact definition.

So far the best one that I have is that a function is Borel Measurable if the pre-image of any open set is again a Borel set.

Now I try to use the definition that a for a measure space $(X, \mathcal{A}, \mu)$ and topological space $(Y,T)$ with $f: X \rightarrow Y$, $f$ is measurable if and only if

$f^{-1}(B) \in \mathcal{A}, \forall B \in B(Y,T)$

so I try to say that let $A \in \mathcal{A}$ be an open set.

Now $(g \circ f)^{-1}(A) = f^{-1}(g^{-1})(A)$ and since $g$ is Borel measurable would that mean that $g^{-1}(A) \in B(Y,T)$? so then we would have $f^{-1}(g^{-1}(A)) \in \mathcal{A}$ and hence $g \circ f$ is measurable?

• Your definition of Borel measurable is correct. – Batman May 20 '14 at 2:01

I think I have a better solution to this question,

$f: X \rightarrow Y$ is Borel Measurable if $A \in \mathcal{B}(Y,T)$ then $f^{-1}(A) \in \mathcal{B}(X,T)$

Now with this new definition:

Let $B \in \mathcal{B}(Y,T)$

Now $(g \circ f)^{-1}(B) = f^{-1}(g^{-1})(B),$ and since $g$ is Borel Measurable we have that $g^{-1}(B) \in \mathcal{B}(Y,T)$

Finally, since $f$ is measurable, for the measure space mentioned above $(X, \mathcal{A}, \mu)$ we have the $f^{-1}(g^{-1}(B)) \in \mathcal{A}$ and hence $g \circ f$ is measurable.

• Fixed it. Would that be a complete proof? – Pablo May 20 '14 at 2:16
• Yes. Also, minor typo in the definition of Borel measurable. – Ink May 20 '14 at 2:18
• could you point it out to me? – Pablo May 20 '14 at 2:20
• You write $A \in \mathcal{B}(Y, T)$, then $f^{-1}(A) \in \mathcal{B}(Y,T)$. It should be $f^{-1}(A) \in \mathcal{B}(X, T)$, unless we have $f: Y \to Y$. – Ink May 20 '14 at 2:21
• No, given $f: X \to Y$ if $A \in \mathcal{B}(Y, T)$, then it's possible that $f^{-1}(A) \in \mathcal{B}(X, T)$. But you have $f^{-1} (A) \in \mathcal{B}(Y, T)$. $X$ and $Y$ could be different. – Ink May 20 '14 at 2:33