Abstract
We generalize the concept of a metric space by associating a cumulative distribution function, Δab, with every ordered pair (a, b) of elements of a set S. The value Δab(x) may be interpreted as the probability that the distance from a to b be < x. But S need not be a metric space in the ordinary sense. The distribution functions and the association of these functions with the pairs of elements of S are all that is assumed. For instance, a probabilistic metric consisting of five elements is a 5-by-5 matrix of distribution functions—as an ordinary metric space consisting of five points is a 5-by-5 matrix of numbers.
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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Wien
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Menger, K. (2003). Probabilistic Geometry. In: Schweizer, B., et al. Selecta Mathematica. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6045-9_37
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6045-9_37
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Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-7294-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-6045-9
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