English

Geometry of R\'enyi Entropy on the Majorization Lattice

Information Theory 2026-05-25 v2 Combinatorics math.IT Probability

Abstract

Majorization is a stochastic ordering relation that compares the relative diversity of probability distributions with numerous applications in econometrics, spectral theory, and ecology. It is well-known that the majorization partial order forms a complete lattice on the set of ordered probability distributions. In this work, we study the properties of R\'enyi entropy on the majorization lattice. We establish a fundamental relation between the comonotone coupling and the independent coupling associated with a collection of marginal distributions. Consequently, we show that, for every order α[0,]\alpha \in [0,\infty], the R\'enyi entropy is subadditive on the majorization lattice. We further characterize the supermodular regime, showing that R\'enyi entropy is supermodular on the majorization lattice for α{0}[1,]\alpha \in \{0\} \,\cup \, [1,\infty]. For the Tsallis entropy, we show that it also satisfies subadditivity on the majorization lattice, for every order α[0,)\alpha \in [0,\infty). Finally, we show that, unlike the R\'enyi entropy, the Tsallis entropy is supermodular on the majorization lattice for every α[0,)\alpha \in [0,\infty).

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2605.09655,
  title  = {Geometry of R\'enyi Entropy on the Majorization Lattice},
  author = {Anuj Kumar Yadav and Yanina Y. Shkel},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.09655},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

20 pages, 2 figures