in relation to a set of distinguishable elements, either (l) the number of distinct elements, or (2) the logarithm to the base 2 of that number, the context indicating the sense used. When variety is measured in the logarithmic form, its unit is the
bit ," a contraction of "BInary digiT." (Ashby, 1956, P. 126) the amount of
output from a system is limited by the variety possible within the system and/or the variety of
input to the system. The number of possible alternative communications between the two systems is limited by that system having the fewest output alternatives and/or the fewest input alternatives. (Charles E. Osgood)
That aggregate (
see aggregation ) property of a set, collection or
variable indicating the number of mutually exclusive alternatives available within it. Variety may be expressed either by the simple number of distinct elements (
see degree of freedom ) or by the dual
logarithm thereof (
see uncertainty ,
bit ). (
Krippendorff ))
