1:In the original 4x4 similarity matrix, sample 2 and 4 have the highest similarity [S(2,4)=68.1%], so we first concatenate these two
2:Create a 3x3 similarity matrix combining data from 2 and 4 S(1,2&4)=[S(1,2)+S(1,4)]/2=38.9%, S(3,2&4)=[S(3,2)+S(3,4)]/2=55.0%
3:Since S(3,2&4) is maximum in the 3x3 group matrix, we then concatenate these two
4:Finally, concatenate 1 and 2&3&4 S(1,2&3&4)=[S(1,2) + S(1,3) + S(1,4)]/3=25.9%
Data Tables for Community Structure
Similarity matrix (before concatenation)

Similarity matrix (after concatenating 2&4)

Similarity matrix (after concatenating 2&3&4)

