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Decision Tree

A decision tree is a machine learning algorithm that predicts the value of a target variable based on input features. It consists of a tree-like structure where internal nodes represent decision points based on feature values, branches represent decision outcomes, and leaf nodes represent predictions. The algorithm works by recursively splitting the dataset to maximize homogeneity regarding the target variable. For prediction, it traverses the tree from the root to a leaf node based on a new instance's feature values to predict its target value.

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40 views

Decision Tree

A decision tree is a machine learning algorithm that predicts the value of a target variable based on input features. It consists of a tree-like structure where internal nodes represent decision points based on feature values, branches represent decision outcomes, and leaf nodes represent predictions. The algorithm works by recursively splitting the dataset to maximize homogeneity regarding the target variable. For prediction, it traverses the tree from the root to a leaf node based on a new instance's feature values to predict its target value.

Uploaded by

tvqfduenveqmmecnor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‭Decision Tree:‬

‭●‬ ‭Definition:‬
‭●‬ ‭A decision tree is a supervised machine learning algorithm used for both‬
‭classification and regression tasks. It predicts the value of a target‬
‭variable based on several input features.‬
‭●‬ ‭Structure:‬
‭●‬ ‭It consists of a tree-like structure where each internal node represents a‬
‭decision based on the value of a feature, each branch represents an‬
‭outcome of the decision, and each leaf node represents the predicted‬
‭value of the target variable.‬
‭●‬ ‭Working:‬
‭●‬ ‭Splitting:‬
‭●‬ ‭The decision tree algorithm starts by selecting the best feature to‬
‭split the dataset into smaller subsets. The goal is to maximize the‬
‭homogeneity (or purity) of the subsets regarding the target variable.‬
‭●‬ ‭Recursion:‬
‭●‬ ‭This splitting process is applied recursively to each subset, creating‬
‭a binary tree until a stopping criterion is met (e.g., maximum depth,‬
‭minimum number of samples per leaf).‬
‭●‬ ‭Prediction:‬
‭●‬ ‭Once the tree is constructed, to make a prediction for a new‬
‭instance, it traverses the tree from the root node to a leaf node‬
‭based on the feature values of the instance. The predicted value at‬
‭the leaf node is then assigned as the predicted value for the‬
‭instance.‬
‭●‬ ‭Classification vs. Regression:‬
‭●‬ ‭In classification tasks, each leaf node represents a class label.‬
‭●‬ ‭In regression tasks, each leaf node represents a numerical value.‬
‭●‬ ‭Advantages:‬
‭●‬ ‭Easy to understand and interpret.‬
‭●‬ ‭Handles both numerical and categorical data.‬
‭●‬ ‭Requires minimal data preprocessing.‬
‭●‬ ‭Can capture non-linear relationships between features and target variable.‬
‭●‬ ‭Disadvantages:‬
‭●‬ ‭Prone to overfitting, especially with deep trees.‬
‭●‬ ‭Can be unstable, sensitive to small variations in the data.‬
‭●‬ ‭Biased towards features with more levels.‬
‭Example:‬
‭ onsider a decision tree for predicting whether a person will buy a product based on‬
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‭their age, income, and gender. The tree may split the dataset based on age first, then‬
‭income, and finally gender, resulting in a set of rules like "If age < 30 and income > $50k,‬
‭then predict 'Yes'."‬

‭ our explanation effectively describes the structure and functioning of decision trees,‬
Y
‭highlighting their versatility in handling both classification and regression tasks. Well‬
‭done!‬

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