Graded poset definition trouble

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In summary, a graded poset is a poset in which there exists a function that assigns elements a ranking, and this ranking is preserved when comparing elements. However, there are alternative characterizations of a bounded poset, which is a necessary condition for a graded poset. This can be seen in the example of the poset with elements a, b, c, and d, where a and d are not comparable, making it an unbounded poset.
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caffeinemachine
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Graded poset on wiki: Graded poset - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia defines a 'graded Poset' as a poset $P$ such that there exists a function $\rho:P\to \mathbb N$ such that $x< y\Rightarrow \rho(x)< \rho(y)$ and $\rho(b)=\rho(a)+1$ whenever $b$ covers $a$.

Then if you go to the 'Alternative Characterizations' on the page whose link I gave above you would see that the first line reads:
A bounded poset admits a grading if and only if all maximal chains in $P$ have the same length.
Here's the problem. Consider $P=\{a,b,c,d\}$ with $a<b,b<d,a<c,a<d$. All other pairs are incomparable. Then according to the first definition $P$ is a graded poset while the second definition says otherwise.

Maybe I am committing a very silly mistake but just can't find it.

Please help.
 
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Re: graded poset definition trouble

caffeinemachine said:
Consider $P=\{a,b,c,d\}$ with $a<b,b<d,a<c,a<d$. All other pairs are incomparable. Then according to the first definition $P$ is a graded poset while the second definition says otherwise.
This is indeed a graded poset, but it is not a bounded poset. The latter has to have a least and a greatest elements.
 
  • #3
Re: graded poset definition trouble

Evgeny.Makarov said:
This is indeed a graded poset, but it is not a bounded poset. The latter has to have a least and a greatest elements.

Thanks! Guess it will take some time for the definitions to sink in.
 

FAQ: Graded poset definition trouble

What is a graded poset?

A graded poset is a partially ordered set (poset) where every element is assigned a non-negative integer called its rank, such that the rank of an element is always greater than or equal to the rank of its immediate predecessor in the partial order.

How is a graded poset defined?

A graded poset is defined by a binary relation, often denoted as ≤, which is reflexive, antisymmetric, and transitive. This relation determines the partial order of the poset, and the rank function assigns a rank to each element based on its position in the partial order.

What are some examples of graded posets?

Some common examples of graded posets include the set of natural numbers with the usual ordering (≤), the power set of a finite set with the subset relation (⊆), and the set of all subspaces of a vector space with the inclusion relation (⊆).

What is the importance of graded posets in mathematics?

Graded posets have many applications in mathematics, particularly in combinatorics and algebraic geometry. They are also useful in computer science for data structures and algorithms. Additionally, graded posets can provide a useful way to organize and analyze complex data sets.

What is the difference between a graded poset and a general poset?

The main difference between a graded poset and a general poset is the presence of the rank function in a graded poset. This function assigns a numerical value to each element, providing a way to compare and order the elements in the poset. In a general poset, there is no such function and the elements are only partially ordered based on the binary relation.

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