Bounding the stochastic performance of continuum structure functions. I

A continuum structure function γ is a non-decreasing mapping from the unit hypercube to the unit interval. Minimal path (cut) sets of upper (lower) simple continuum structure functions are introduced and are used to determine bounds on the distribution of γ (Χ) when X is a vector of associated random variables and when γ is right (left)-continuous. It is shown that, if γ admits of a modular decomposition, improved bounds may be obtained.