TITLE: Prove that $f_n$ converges to $f$ in $L_1$ norm given $\int f_n \to \int f$
QUESTION [8 upvotes]: a homework question from measure and integraiton theory course.

Suppose $f_n \in L_1(\mathbb R^d)$ for each $n\in\mathbb N$， $f_n\geq 0$ ， $f_n\to f$ a.e  and $\int f_n\to\int f<\infty$.
Prove that $\int|f_n-f| \to 0$
(Hint: ($f_n - f)_-\leq f$. Use dominated convergence theorem )

I am thinking that since $|f_n -f | \to 0$ a.e and $|f_n-f|=(f_n - f)_+ + (fn-f)_-$ . If I can show $(f_n-f)_+ ≤ f$ and $(f_n-f)_-≤f$ . Then since $f_n$ and $f$ are integrable , by DCT, $\int|f_n-f| \to \int0 =0$ .  I think my approach might be wrong ..

REPLY [2 votes]: Thomas E.'s approach is fine, but you can get this with a different use of the triangle inequality somewhat easier using the inequality $0 \leq |a - b| + |a| - |b| \leq 2|a|$.  The proof of this is straightforward:  We have $|a-b|+|a|-|b|\leq2|a|$ since $|a-b|\leq|a|+|b|$. Further, $||a|-|b||\leq|a-b|$ so that if $|a|\leq|b|$ then $0\leq|a-b|+|a|-|b|$. Similarly if $|b|\leq|a|$ then we have $0 \leq |a-b| + |a|-|b|$.
Apply the dominated convergence theorem to $0 \leq |f_n - f| + f - f_n \leq 2f$ (since in your case everything is positive) and the result follows.