An uncertainty function arising in sequential search theory

This note presents a new “uncertainty function” of finite probability distributions that arises in sequential search theory. The function arises as the finite term in an asymptotic expression for an expected search time as the allowable “error probability” approaches zero. This function is not a fun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied probability 1967-11, Vol.4 (1), p.137-143
Main Authors: Posner, Edward C., Rumsey, Howard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A priori knowledge
Entropy
Research Papers
Search time
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Summary:This note presents a new “uncertainty function” of finite probability distributions that arises in sequential search theory. The function arises as the finite term in an asymptotic expression for an expected search time as the allowable “error probability” approaches zero. This function is not a function of entropy; it may be of more relevance than entropy to workers in certain fields for describing the complexity of a finite distribution.
ISSN:0021-9002
1475-6072
DOI:10.2307/3212306