Subadditive set function

In mathematics, a subadditive set function is a set function whose value, informally, has the property that the value of function on the union of two sets is at most the sum of values of the function on each of the sets. This is thematically related to the subadditivity property of real-valued functions.

## Contents

* 1 Definition
* 2 Examples of subadditive functions
* 3 See also
* 4 Citations

## Definition

Let Ω be a set and f:2Ω->ℝ be a set function, where 2Ω denotes the power set of Ω. The function f is subadditive if for each subset S and T of Ω, we have f(S)+f(T)≥f(S∪T).[1][2] Note that by substitution of T=S into the defining equation, it follows that f(S)≥0 for all S.

## Examples of subadditive functions

Everyday example of sigma sub-additivity: when sand is mixed with water, the bulk volume of the mixture is smaller than the sum of the individual volumes, as the water can lodge in the spaces between the sand grains. A similar situation with a different mechanism occurs when ethanol is mixed with water, see apparent molar property.

Every non-negative submodular set function is subadditive (the family of non-negative submodular functions is strictly contained in the family of subadditive functions).

The function that counts the number of sets required to cover a given set is subadditive. Let T1,…,Tm⊆Ω such that ∪i=1mTi=Ω. Define f as the minimum number of subsets required to cover a given set. Formally, f(S) is the minimum number t such that there are sets Ti1,…,Tit satisfying S⊆∪j=1tTij. Then f is subadditive.

The maximum of additive set functions is subadditive (dually, the minimum of additive functions is superadditive). Formally, for each i∈{1,…,m}, let ai:Ω->ℝ be additive set functions. Then f(S)=maxiai(S) is a subadditive set function.

Fractionally subadditive set functions are a generalization of submodular functions and a special case of subadditive functions. A subadditive function f is furthermore fractionally subadditive if it satisfies the following definition.[1] For every S⊆Ω, every X1,…,Xn⊆Ω, and every α1,…,αn∈[0,1], if 1S≤∑i=1nαi1Xi, then f(S)≤∑i=1nαif(Xi). The set of fractionally subadditive functions equals the set of functions that can be expressed as the maximum of additive functions, as in the example in the previous paragraph.[1]

## See also

* Submodular set function
* Utility functions on indivisible goods

## Citations

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Feige, Uriel (2009). "On Maximizing Welfare when Utility Functions are Subadditive". SIAM Journal on Computing 39 (1): 122–142. doi:10.1137/070680977.
2. ↑ Dobzinski, Shahar; Nisan, Noam; Schapira, Michael (2005). "Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Auctions with Complement-Free Bidders". Proceedings of the thirty-seventh annual ACM symposium on Theory of computing. pp. 610–618. doi:10.1145/1060590.1060681. ISBN 1-58113-960-8.

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