ADVANCES IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS l&49-62 (1990) Random Variables Related to a Class of Ordered Structures

We describe a combinatorial model which encompasses the enumeration of many types of ordered structures and determine the behavior of three random variables which record certain umerical parameters of such structures. Examples to which our results are applicable include chains in binomial posets, direct sum decomposi-tions of finite vector spaces, binary words, and Fishbum’s generalized weak orders.:r ’ 19 % Academic Press. Inc. 1