The Martingale convergence theorem says that if a discrete-time martingale satisfies , then there is an integrable random variable such that
The hypothesis does not by itself ensure convergence in L1.
For each pair of rational numbers , the Doob upcrossing inequality gives . The monotone convergence theorem therefore gives a finite expected value for , so this upcrossing count is finite almost surely. There are only countably many such pairs, hence all their upcrossing counts are simultaneously finite outside one event of probability zero.
If , the density of the rational numbers supplies strictly between them, forcing infinitely many upcrossings. Consequently has a limit in the extended real numbers almost surely. By the Fatou lemma,
A limit of either or would make this lower limit infinite, so the limit is finite almost surely, and the same inequality proves its integrability.
Upcrossing 2026-10-05
An upcrossing of an interval consists of an observation at or below followed by a later observation at or above . Successive completed upcrossings use disjoint buy-sell pairs.
Upcrossing count 2026-10-05
The upcrossing count counts completed upcrossings by time , allowing the first purchase at time zero. For a martingale, the Doob upcrossing inequality bounds its expected value by .