Abstract
We consider the transformations of independent random variables over a linearly ordered finite set (a chain) by the join and meet operations. We investigate the possibility of approximating an arbitrary probability distribution on a chain by means of a (possibly iterated) application of the join and meet operations to independent random variables with distributions from a given set. We establish some conditions under which the approximation is impossible and the conditions when it becomes possible.
This is a preview of subscription content,
to check access.


REFERENCES
F. I. Salimov, “Finite Generability of Distribution Algebras,” Diskret. Anal. Issled. Oper. Ser. 1, 4 (2), 43–50 (1997).
R. M. Kolpakov, “Closed Classes of Finite Distributions of Rational Probabilities,” Diskret. Anal. Issled. Oper. Ser. 1, 11 (3), 16–31 (2004).
A. D. Yashunsky, “Algebras of Probability Distributions on Finite Sets,” Trudy Mat. Inst. Steklov. 301, 320–335 (2018) [Proc. Steklov Inst. Math. 301, 304–318 (2018)].
R. L. Skhirtladze, “On a Method for Constructing a Boolean Value with a Given Probability Distribution,” in Discrete Analysis, Vol. 7 (Nauka, Novosibirsk, 1966), pp. 71–80.
A. D. Yashunsky, “On Probability Transformations by Read-Once Boolean Formulas,” in Proceedings. XVI International School and Seminar “Synthesis and Complexity of Control Systems” (St. Petersburg, Russia, June 26–30, 2006) (Mekh.-Mat. Fak. MGU, Moscow, 2006), pp. 150–155.
H. Zhou, P.-L. Loh, and J. Bruck, “The Synthesis and Analysis of Stochastic Switching Circuits,” Cornell Univ. Libr. e-Print Archive, arXiv:1209.0715 (Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, 2012).
D. Wilhelm, J. Bruck, and L. Qian, “Probabilistic Switching Circuits in DNA,” Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, 903–908 (2018).
D. Lee and J. Bruck, “Generating Probability Distributions Using Multivalued Stochastic Relay Circuits,” in Proceedings of 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (St. Petersburg, Russia, July 31–August 5, 2011) (IEEE, Piscataway, 2011), pp. 308–312.
D. T. Lee and J. Bruck, “Algorithms for Generating Probabilities with Multivalued Stochastic Relay Circuits,” IEEE Trans. Comput. 64 (12), 3376–3388 (2015).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author is grateful to O. M. Kasim-Zade for his attention to this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Translated by Ya.A. Kopylov
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yashunsky, A.D. On the Approximation of Random Variables on a Finite Chain. J. Appl. Ind. Math. 14, 581–591 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1990478920030163
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1990478920030163