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Estimate entropy of a finite discrete system using limited samples

Following idea of:

  • Ma, “Calculation of Entropy from Data of Motion”, Journal of Statistical Physics 26, 221–240 (1981) URL. zotero

Consider a system with a state space of the size $\Gamma$ with equal probability. The entropy is given by $$ H = - \sum_x \frac{1}{\Gamma} \ln\frac{1}{\Gamma} $$