Width of a partially ordered set
From Encyclopedia of Mathematics
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2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 06A [MSN][ZBL]
Dilworth number, Sperner number
The greatest possible length of an anti-chain (set of mutually incomparable elements) in a partially ordered set. A partially ordered set of width 1 is a chain (totally ordered set).
Dilworth's theorem [1] states that in a finite partially ordered set the width is equal to the minimal number of chains that cover the set.
See also Sperner property.
References
| [1] | R.P. Dilworth, "A decomposition theorem for partially ordered sets" Ann. of Math. , 51 (1950) pp. 161–166 |
| [2] | George Grätzer, General Lattice Theory, Springer (2003) ISBN 3764369965 |
How to Cite This Entry:
Width of a partially ordered set. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Width_of_a_partially_ordered_set&oldid=35425
Width of a partially ordered set. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Width_of_a_partially_ordered_set&oldid=35425