Is This Set Theory Notation Correct for Describing Local Maxima?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the correctness of set theory notation used to describe local maxima in a sequence of points. Participants explore the formulation of the set, conditions for local maxima, and the implications of boundary cases in the context of time periods.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a set definition for local maxima but questions the correctness of the notation used, particularly regarding the inclusion of boundary cases.
  • Another participant argues that the initial notation is incorrect because it mixes conditions with element definitions, suggesting a clearer formulation.
  • Questions arise about the difference between using "|" and ":" in set notation, with some participants indicating that they are interchangeable in this context.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the proposed conditions adequately account for cases where indices fall outside the defined set of time periods.
  • Further suggestions are made to define a neighborhood function, with participants discussing the implications of this definition on the set of local maxima.
  • Some participants express confusion about the implications of boundary cases and the existence of certain indices in the defined set.
  • There is a suggestion to account for multiple solutions in the set definition, with a call for implicit conditions to be specified.
  • One participant provides an example of an implicit solution to clarify the concept.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the correctness of the initial notation or the best way to define local maxima. Multiple competing views on the formulation and implications of the set notation remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the treatment of boundary cases and the implications of using different notational conventions. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with set theory and notation among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for those interested in set theory, mathematical notation, and the concept of local maxima in sequences, particularly in the context of time series analysis.

rattma
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Hi, Is the following notation correct?

X = {xt> max(xt-k,...,xt-1,xt+1,...,xt+k)|(t-k,...,t+k) ∈ T2k+1∧ k ∈ ℕ\{0}} where T = [1,n]∩ℕ denotes the time periods over which x runs.

I basically want to say that X is the set of points that are local maxima in a neighbourhood of k points to the right and left of each point. my query is that, for instance, for k=3 and t=2, the condition would actually be :

x2 > max(x1,x3,x4,x5)

and (x1,x3,x4,x5) is not a point in the space T7

Maybe a better option would be to write t-k,...,t+k ∈ T instead of (t-k,...,t+k) ∈ T2k+1 ...but it still seems unclear to me.
 
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It's not right. In the first part of the set builder notation you have ##x_t > \max\{x_{t-k}...\}##. This evaluates to true and false. You can't have that in the first part. The first part must be the name of the element in the set, the second part must be a condition on that element.

So I would write it as
\{x_t~\vert~t\in T~\wedge~\exists k\in \mathbb{N}\setminus \{0\}:~((t-k,...,t+k)\in T^{2k+1}~\wedge~x_t>\max\{x_{t-k},...,x_{t-1},x_{t+1},...,x_{t+k}\})\}
 
Thank you!. What is the difference between the first "|" and the ":" ? I thought they meant the same thing (such that).

Other question: under your formulation, is it no longer a problem that (t-k) does not belong to T in some instances? For instance, take t=2 and k=3. In those border case, the condition should read $$x_2>max(x_1,x_3,x_4,x_5)$$. Isn't the condition excluding these cases? Or is it accounted for by :
∃k ?

Also, would it possible to write something like this, or would this also be wrong:

$$X=\{x_{t}| x_{t} > max_{x_j}\{\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_{t})\}\}$$ where $$ \mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t) = \{x_j|\forall (t,j,k)\in\mathbb{T}^3\wedge j\neq t :\parallel t-j \parallel\leq k \}$$

I want to define ##\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t)## as the neighbourhood of center ##x_t## and radius ##k##. Then, I want to say that X is the set of points such that each point in X is larger than the maximum value in its neighbourhood ##\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t)## .

Sorry for asking so many questions!
 
rattma said:
Thank you!. What is the difference between the first "|" and the ":" ? I thought they meant the same thing (such that).

There is no difference, it's a matter of tradition. You can write sets as ##\{x ~\vert~P(x)\}## but also as ##\{x~:~P(x)\}##. On the other hand, you write logical formulas as ##\forall x:~P(x)##, or as ##\forall x~(P(x))##, but somehow ##\forall x~\vert~P(x)## is not used.

Other question: under your formulation, is it no longer a problem that (t-k) does not belong to T in some instances? For instance, take t=2 and k=3. In those border case, the condition should read $$x_2>max(x_1,x_3,x_4,x_5)$$. Isn't the condition excluding these cases? Or is it accounted for by :
∃k ?

I did account for that by putting in ##(t-k,...,t+k)\in T^{2k+1}## so I don't really understand your qustion. You're right that the condition ##x_2 > \max\{x_1,x_3,x_4,x_5\}## isn't account for in my formulation, but ##x_2## would still count as a local maximum because of ##x_2 > \max{\x_1,x_3\}##.

Also, would it possible to write something like this, or would this also be wrong:

$$X=\{x_{t}| x_{t} > max_{x_j}\{\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_{t})\}\}$$ where $$ \mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t) = \{x_j|\forall (t,j,k)\in\mathbb{T}^3\wedge j\neq t :\parallel t-j \parallel\leq k \}$$

I want to define ##\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t)## as the neighbourhood of center ##x_t## and radius ##k##. Then, I want to say that X is the set of points such that each point in X is larger than the maximum value in its neighbourhood ##\mathcal{B}_{k}(x_t)## .

Sorry for asking so many questions!

Some things wrong. First of all, you can't use ##x_j## on the left hand side and ##\forall j## on the right hand side. Second, you can't say ##\forall x~\wedge~P(x):~Q(x)##, the syntax is ##\forall x:~P(x)##. So you need to rewrite
\mathcal{B}_k(x_t) = \{x_j~\vert~j\neq t~\wedge~||t-j||\leq k\}
and
X = \{x_t~\vert~\exists~k:~x_t > \max\mathcal{B}_k(x_t)\}
 
Thanks. What I meant was that for k=3 and t=2, the condition in the set reads ##x_2>max(x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \wedge (x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_2,x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \in \mathbb{T}^{7}## but since ##\mathbb{T} = \{1,2,3,...,T\}##, ##x_{-1},x_{0}## do not exist and therefore ## (x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_2,x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \in \mathbb{T}^{7}## does not exist either... Probaby this is wrong again :D
 
rattma said:
Thanks. What I meant was that for k=3 and t=2, the condition in the set reads ##x_2>max(x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \wedge (x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_2,x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \in \mathbb{T}^{7}## but since ##\mathbb{T} = \{1,2,3,...,T\}##, ##x_{-1},x_{0}## do not exist and therefore ## (x_{-1},x_{0},x_{1},x_2,x_{3},x_{4},x_{5}) \in \mathbb{T}^{7}## does not exist either... Probaby this is wrong again :D

You're correct. But ##x_2## is still caught as a maximum because of ##x_2 > \max\{x_0,x_1,x_3,x_4\}## so for ##k=2##.
 
Hey rattma.

You should probably account for multiple solutions just in case there are more than one solution.

I'd specify an implicit condition and use that as your rule to build the set based on that [basically you specify your P(x) condition implicitly rather than explicitly to do so].
 
chiro said:
Hey rattma.

You should probably account for multiple solutions just in case there are more than one solution.

I'd specify an implicit condition and use that as your rule to build the set based on that [basically you specify your P(x) condition implicitly rather than explicitly to do so].
I am sorry. I am bit of a beginner... could you be more specific with the meaning of implicit condition? Thank you =)
 
Implicit solutions are functions of the variables where they can't easily be separated.

An example of one is y^2 = sin(xy) + e^x
 

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