A discrete model for the segmentation of chains and strings

A statistical model is presented that can be used to represent a discrete breakage process. It considers a fixed length chain or string made up of n +1 pieces joined together. The chain is stressed at each connection or link andrupture occurs at some of the links. Models are developed to answer the question, “what is the expected proportion of chain segments of a given size?” The model is modified to handle those experiments where only thetotal weight of a given size segment is known. Expressions are obtained for the expected value and variance of the number of segments of a given size. The model is used to predict the expected number of segments which results when a fixed length DNA molecule chain is subjected to carcinogenic agents and is applied to industrial examples.