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I’m trying to get that $E[T] = \int_0^\infty(S(t))$ where $T$ is a positive continuous random variable and $S(t) = P(T \geq t)$. After some research (here and there), I know it is possible to proceed this way:

\begin{align*} E[T] = \int_0^\infty tf(t) dt &= \int_0^\infty \bigg(\int_0^tdu\bigg) f(t)\,dt \\\ &= \int_0^\infty \bigg(\int_u^\infty f(t)\,dt\bigg) du\\\ &= \int_0^\infty P(T \geq u)\,du\\\ &= \int_0^\infty S(t)\,du \end{align*}

Where, for justifying the third equality, we can use first Tonelli-Hobson test and then Fubini’s theorem. My doubts are related to the Tonelli-Hobson part. As I understand, the result must by applied to the function $g(t, u) = f(t)$ with domain $\{(t,u) : 0 \leq u \leq t\}$. We know that $\int_0^\infty \big(\int_0^t |g(t,u)| du\big) dt$ is finite because it is equal to $E[T]$, and this is supposed to exist. However, $g$ must be also measurable in order to verify all the hypothesis of the test. How can I prove that it is measurable? Obviously, $f(t)\chi_{[0, \infty]}$ is integrable, can I proceed from this?

PeterK
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  • Not quite, Tonelli or Fubini's theorems apply for functions with "rectangular" domains. So you really are considering $g(t,u) = f(t) \mathbf{1}_\mathrm{D}(t,u)$ where $\mathrm{D}$ is the domain you wrote, but $(t,u)$ are elements of $[0, \infty) \times [0,\infty).$ Note measurability of $g$ follows immediately from those of $f$ and $\mathrm{D}.$ – William M. Feb 03 '22 at 17:27
  • Could you be more specific, please, @WilliamM? I see that $D$ is measurable, but I don’t see how $f$ is measurable in $[0, \infty) \times [0, \infty)$, or how to use its measurability in one dimension to prove that. – PeterK Feb 03 '22 at 23:56
  • Let $h(t,u) = f(t).$ Then ${h < c} = {f < c} \times [0, \infty)$ is a measurable set. – William M. Feb 04 '22 at 16:38
  • Are you using that the cartesian product of two measurable sets is measurable or other result? @WilliamM. – PeterK Feb 04 '22 at 18:36
  • Yes. ${}{}{}{}{}$ – William M. Feb 04 '22 at 19:20
  • Thank you so much @WilliamM. for your help! By the way, do you know any reference which includes the result about the cartesian product of two measurable sets? – PeterK Feb 04 '22 at 22:16
  • In case anyone has the same doubt, here you can find a reference. Information taken from here. Thanks again @WilliamM.!! – PeterK Feb 05 '22 at 12:53

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