Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Complexity Reduction In State-Based Modeling, Martin Zwick

Systems Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

For a system described by a relation among qualitative variables (or quantitative variables "binned" into symbolic states), expressed either set-theoretically or as a multivariate joint probability distribution, complexity reduction (compression of representation) is normally achieved by modeling the system with projections of the overall relation. To illustrate, if ABCD is a four variable relation, then models ABC:BCD or AB:BC:CD:DA, specified by two triadic or four dyadic relations, respectively, represent simplifications of the ABCD relation. Simplifications which are lossless are always preferred over the original full relation, while simplifications which lose constraint are still preferred if the reduction of complexity more …