Let H be a Hilbert space and let V be a closed subspace of H. Let x∈H. Show that there is a unique decomposition x=u+v such that v∈V and u∈V⊥.
Now suppose (Ω,F,P) is a probability space and let X∈L2(Ω,F,P). Suppose G is a sub- σ-algebra of F. Define E(X∣G) using a decomposition of the above type. Show that E(E(X∣G).1A)=E(X.1A) for each set A∈G.
Let G1⊆G2 be two sub- σ-algebras of F. Show that (a) E(E(X∣G1)∣G2)=E(X∣G1); (b) E(E(X∣G2)∣G1)=E(X∣G1).
No general theorems about projections on Hilbert spaces may be quoted without proof.