PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

In many areas of data analysis, it is desirable to have tools at hand for analyzing the structure of distance tables-or, in more mathematical terms, of finite metric spaces. One such tool, known as split decomposition theory has proven particularly useful in this respect. Tbe class of so-called totally decomposable metrics forms a cornerstone for this theory, and much work has been devoted to their study. Recently, it has become apparent that a particular subclass of these metrics, the consistent metrics, are also of fundamental importance. In this paper, we give a six-point characterization of consistent metrics amongst the totally decomposable ones. (C) 2001 Academic Press.