Decomposition theorems for measures (Q1097359)

In earlier work [J. Combin. Theory 22, 380-383 (1977; Zbl 0362.05051)], the third author obtained certain generalisations of the classical marriage theorem. This paper transfers and extends these earlier results to a measure-theoretic context. The main proposition is the following Theorem: Let \((X,{\mathcal B},\tau)\) be a finite measure space. Let \(f_ 1,...,f_ p\) be measurable functions taking values in measurable spaces \((S_ 1,{\mathcal B}_ 1),..,(S_ p,{\mathcal B}_ p).\) For each \(i=1,...,p,\) suppose that \(\Phi_ i\leq \chi_ i\) are measures on \(S_ i\). Then the following are equivalent: (1) There are measures \(\tau_ 1,...,\tau_ p\) on \((X,{\mathcal B})\) such that \(\tau =\tau_ 1+...+\tau_ p\) and such that \(\chi_ i\geq f_ i(\tau_ i)\geq \Phi_ i\) for \(i=1,...,p.\) (2) For any sets \(A_ 1\in {\mathcal B}_ 1,...,A_ p\in {\mathcal B}_ p,\) one has both \[ (i)\quad \tau (f_ 1^{-1}(A_ 1)\cup...\cup f_ p^{-1}(A_ p))\geq \Phi_ 1(A_ 1)+...+\Phi_ p(A_ p), \] \[ (ii)\quad \tau (f_ 1^{-1}(A_ 1)\cap...\cap f_ p^{-1}(A_ p))\leq \chi_ 1(A_ 1)+...+\chi_ p(A_ p). \] Generalizations of the theorem are proved, viz. the case for an infinite number of functions \(f_ i\) and the case where \(\tau\) is an infinite measure. Also, applications to continuous and infinite- discrete versions of the matching problem are considered.