m-Contiguity Distance

In this paper, we systematically develop the $m$-contiguity distance between simplicial maps as a discrete approximation framework for homotopical complexity in the category of simplicial complexes. We construct an increasing sequence of invariants that approximate the contiguity distance from below. The fundamental properties of $m$-contiguity distance are established, including its behaviour under barycentric subdivision, under compositions, and a categorical product inequality. As applications of this theory, we define the $m$-simplicial Lusternik-Schnirelmann category and the $m$-discrete topological complexity, proving that each arises naturally as a special case of $m$-contiguity distance.