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Why this function is not Riemann integrable on [0, 1] ? \begin{equation} f\left(x\right)=\begin{cases} x & x\in\mathbb{Q}\\ 0 & x\notin\mathbb{Q} \end{cases} \end{equation} We can calculate the upper integral and lower integral, $\overline{\int}f\left(x\right)dx=0.5$, $\underline{\int}f\left(x\right)dx=0$, therefore, the Riemann's criterion does not hold. So the function is not Riemann inegrable.

But if you use the Lebesgue theorem, bounded function on [a, b] is Riemann integrable if and only if the set of discontinuities of $f\left(x\right)$ has measure zero.

We know that (1) every finite set has measure zero, and (2) every countable subset of $\mathbb{R}$ has measure zero.

The rational numbers $\mathbb{Q}$ is a countable subset of $\mathbb{R}$, and the rational numbers $\mathbb{R}\setminus\mathbb{Q}$ is a countable subset of $\mathbb{R}$.

Hence, the set of discontinuities of $f\left(x\right)$ on [0, 1] has measure zero. Therefore $f\left(x\right)$ is Riemann integrable.

What are the mistakes here? Thank you very much.

Lithium
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1 Answers1

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well, your discontinuities are a lot more than $\mathbb{Q}\cap [0,1]$ they are in fact all of $[0,1]$, since it is the boundary that matters. or show me one point apart from $0$ where your function is continuous!

Felix
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