terminaalijoukko

Terminaalijoukko, also known as a terminal set in English, is a concept used in mathematics, particularly in set theory and graph theory. It refers to a subset of vertices in a graph that satisfy specific properties related to reachability or termination.

In the context of directed graphs, a terminal set is a subset of vertices where every path starting from a vertex within the set eventually ends at a vertex also within the set. This implies that once a path enters the terminal set, it cannot leave it. Such sets are often associated with absorbing states in Markov chains or terminal nodes in game theory.

The concept can be generalized to abstract structures beyond graphs. For instance, in some formal systems, a terminal set might represent a collection of states from which no further transitions are possible or desirable. The precise definition and properties of a terminal set can vary depending on the specific mathematical framework being used. Research often focuses on identifying, characterizing, or proving the existence of such sets within a given structure.