Network Science
Scale-Free Network
A network whose degree distribution follows a power law, meaning a few nodes (hubs) have many connections while most nodes have few. The same pattern appears at any scale of observation.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 1 chapter:
Biological Context
The internet, social networks, metabolic networks, and protein interaction networks are approximately scale-free. This structure emerges from preferential attachment (new nodes connect preferentially to well-connected nodes). Scale-free networks are robust to random failures but vulnerable to targeted attacks on hubs.
Business Application
Most business networks are scale-free: a few key players dominate connection counts. Understanding this structure reveals vulnerabilities (hub removal) and opportunities (become a hub).