Understanding Z=linkage output column 3

"In this output, each row identifies a link between objects or clusters. The first two columns identify the objects that have been linked. The third column contains the distance between these objects. For the sample data set of x- and y-coordinates, the linkage function begins by grouping objects 4 and 5, which have the closest proximity (distance value = 1.0000). The linkage function continues by grouping objects 1 and 3, which also have a distance value of 1.0000." https://www.mathworks.com/help/stats/hierarchical-clustering.html What if my column

3 distance values are 0 or between 0 and 1? Is that still closest proximity? Kind regards,

Jasmina

Answer 1

[Kristen Amaddio]

Yes, this would still be closest proximity. Column 3 of 'Z' contains the linkage distances between the two clusters merged in that row. So if the third column in your example has distance values of 0 or between 0 and 1, that is fine. That is still closest proximity.

If you look at the example in the 'linkage' documentation, you will see that the third column of 'Z' contains values of 0 and between 0 and 1, as well as values greater than 1:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/stats/linkage.html#examples