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Similarity


 
 

Similarity is some degree of symmetrySymmetry

Symmetry is a characteristic feature of geometrical shapes, systems, equations, and other real or conceptual objects —t...
 in either analogyAnalogy

Analogy is either the cognitive process of transferring information from a particular subject to another particular subject,...
 and resemblanceResemblance

Resemblance may refer to:*Resemblance: as in "you have a resemblance to your brother" see analogy and similarity....
 between two or more conceptConcept

A concept is an abstract idea or a mental symbol, typically associated with a corresponding representation in language or sy...
s or objects. The notion of similarity rests either on exact or approximate repetitions of patternPattern

A pattern is a form, template, or model which can be used to make or to generate things or parts of a thing, especially if t...
s in the comparedComparison

A comparison is an evaluation of similarities and differences - described by Gregory Bateson in his book Mind and Nature...
 items. In the case of approximate repetitions we talk about statistical similarity as found in a fractalFractal

In colloquial usage, a fractal is a shape that is recursively constructed or self-similar, that is, a shape that appears similar a...
 and its parts. Finding similarities or distinguishing between dissimilarities depends on the faculties of pattern recognitionPattern recognition

Pattern recognition is a field within the area of machine learning....
 and disambiguation, respectively.

A general method to calculate probabilityProbability

Informally, probable is one of several words applied to uncertain events or knowledge,...
 of an event based on another similar event is
called relative probabilityProbability

Informally, probable is one of several words applied to uncertain events or knowledge,...
 

If A, B are different events

Probability of A = P(A)

Then P(B) = P(A) x R where R is the similarity ratio between A,B

If A=B --> R=1

If A<>B --> R=0

Specific definitions

Different fields provide differing definitions of similarity:
  • In mathematicsMathematics

    Mathematics is the discipline that deals with concepts such as quantity, structure, space and change....
    ,
    • Similarity (geometry)Similarity (geometry) Overview

      Geometry Two geometrical objects are called similar if one is congruent to the result of a uniform scaling of the other....
    • Similar matricesSimilar matrix

      In linear algebra, two n-by-n matrices A and B over the field K are called similar if there exists an in...
  • In psychologyPsychology

    Psychology is an academic and applied field involving the study of the human mind, brain, and behavior....
    , similarity (psychology)Similarity (psychology) Summary

    In social psychology, similarity refers to how closely attitudes, values, interests and personality match between people....
  • In musicMusic

    Music is an art, entertainment, or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence....
    , Musical similarityMusical similarity

    Musical similarity is a certain similarity between two or more musical fragments....
  • In chemistryChemistry

    Chemistry is the science of matter at the atomic to molecular scale, dealing primarily with collections of atoms ....
    , Chemical similarityChemical similarity

    Chemical similarity refers to the similarity of chemical elements, molecules or chemical compounds with respect to either st...
  • In engineeringEngineering

    Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to develop economical solutions to technical proble...
    , similarity or similitudeSimilitude (model)

    Similitude is a concept used in the testing of engineering models....
     describe the geometric, kinematic and dynamic 'likeness' of two (or more) systems.
  • In computational linguisticsComputational linguistics

    Computational linguistics is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the statistical and logical modeling of natural languag...
    , semantic similaritySemantic similarity

    Semantic similarity, variously also called semantic closeness/proximity/nearness, is a concept whereby a set of docume...
  • In philosophyPhilosophy

    Philosophy is a field of study that includes diverse subfields such as aesthetics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphys...
    , similarity is defined as sharing propertiesProperty

    Property designates those real or intellectual goods that are commonly recognized as being the rightful possessions of a p...
     or characteristicCharacteristic

    Characteristic has several meanings:...
     traits. The sky is similar to the sea, for example, because the sky and the sea both share the property of being blue. This definition has some interesting consequences. First, it follows that resemblance is reflexive, since everything shares its own properties. Second, it follows that resemblance is symmetric, since if x shares properties with y then y shares those same properties with x. Third, qualitative identity turns out to be a limiting case of resemblance, since qualitative identity is defined as sharing all rather than some properties.

See also

differenceDifference

Difference is the contrary of equality, in particular of objects....
, sameness, equalityEquality

Equality can mean several things:...