On the Similarity Structure of Order Statistics

In this article, we address the similarity structure between pairs of order statistics of an identically distributed independent random variables X₁,…, X_n. The overlapping coefficient (Δ) of Weitzman (1970 Weitzman , M. S. ( 1970 ). Measures of overlap of income distributions of white and Negro families in the United States . Technical Paper No. 22 , Washington , D.C. , U.S.A : Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census . [Google Scholar]), is used to assess the degree of similarity or closeness between pairs of order statistics. It appears that the degree of the similarity between any of such pairs is independent of the parent distribution. Using this notion, it is shown that for i < j, the degree of similarity between distributions of the ith and the jth order statistics decreases as i and j sunder. Some possible biometric applicability of the value of Δ are explored. In particular, the use of this measure in estimation of the number of possible strata, subgroups or natural subdivisions in a population are suggested.