Inconstancy of finite and infinite sequences (Q533867)

Motivated by applications to finite and infinite sequences, the authors bring to light a paper of \textit{M. W. Crofton} dated 1868 studying the theory of local probability applied to straight lines drawn at random in a plane [Trans. London 158, 181--199 (1868); Proc. London 16, 266--269 (1868; JFM 01.0075.05)]. They also bring to light the Cauchy-Crofton theorem, which describes a way to compute the number of intersection points of random straight lines with a given curve. Following these ideas, the authors introduce the notion of inconstancy, which is a measure of large variations or fluctuations of a curve. They compare their criterion with other criteria for measuring fluctuations of a discrete curve such as residual variance and mean square error. They also apply their measure to describe the variational complexity of some automatic sequences as well as Sturmian sequences.