Definitions
In plain terms
It measures how much the series traveled regardless of direction and forms the efficiency-ratio denominator.
Technical
The path must use ordered adjacent valid observations with frozen gap, duplicate, adjustment, and missing-data rules.
Scope
It is not geometric distance in a multi-dimensional factor space.
Formula
Path length = sum(abs(x_i - x_(i-1)))PL_t=\sum_{i=t-n+1}^{t}|x_i-x_{i-1}|| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
x_i | ordered input observation | input unit |
n | path lookback | observations |
Output unit: input unit
Examples
- A governed lesson uses Path Length only with declared inputs, timing, parameters, and edge-case behavior.
Common misconceptions
- It is not geometric distance in a multi-dimensional factor space.
Concept relationships
Required by
Where this concept is used
Evidence and governance
- Kaufman Adaptive Moving Average TA-Lib · first party technical publication
Supports: preferred label, short definition, technical definition, formula
Limits: Implementation seeding, readiness, and parameter defaults must be frozen for reproducible parity.
- Reviewed by
- fintech-builder-batch-006
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-27
- Next review
- 2027-07-27
- Record status
- evidence reviewed
This record is evidence-reviewed and readable, but not yet promoted to published — it is served noindex,follow and excluded from the sitemap.