Here is a collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Machine Learning
(ML) that will help students better understand the key concepts, algorithms, and
applications of this field.
1. What is Machine Learning?
Answer:
Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that enables
computers to learn from data and improve their performance without explicit
programming. It involves algorithms that can recognize patterns in data, make
decisions, and adapt over time based on experience.
2. What are the Types of Machine Learning?
Answer:
Machine Learning is divided into three main types:
1. Supervised Learning: In supervised learning, the model is trained on
labeled data (data that contains input-output pairs). The algorithm learns
the mapping between inputs and outputs to make predictions on new data.
o Example: Predicting house prices based on features like area,
location, etc.
2. Unsupervised Learning: In unsupervised learning, the model is given data
without labels. The algorithm finds hidden patterns and structures in the
data, such as grouping similar data points.
o Example: Clustering customers based on purchasing behavior.
3. Reinforcement Learning: In reinforcement learning, an agent learns by
interacting with its environment and receiving feedback in the form of
rewards or penalties. The goal is to maximize the cumulative reward over
time.
o Example: Training a robot to navigate a maze.
, 3. What is the Difference Between Supervised and Unsupervised Learning?
Answer:
The primary difference is in the data used for training:
Supervised Learning: The algorithm learns from labeled data (i.e., data that
has both input and output values). The goal is to predict the output for
new, unseen data based on past observations.
Unsupervised Learning: The algorithm learns from unlabeled data (i.e.,
data that only has input values). It aims to identify patterns, groupings, or
structures in the data.
4. What are the Common Machine Learning Algorithms?
Answer:
Here are some common machine learning algorithms:
1. Linear Regression: A statistical method for modeling the relationship
between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It’s
commonly used for regression tasks.
2. Logistic Regression: A model used for binary classification tasks (e.g., spam
vs. not spam) that outputs a probability.
3. Decision Trees: A tree-like model used for both classification and regression
tasks, where each internal node represents a decision based on a feature.
4. Random Forest: An ensemble learning method that creates a collection of
decision trees and combines their results for better accuracy.
5. Support Vector Machines (SVM): A powerful classifier that tries to find the
hyperplane that best separates the classes in high-dimensional space.
6. K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN): A simple algorithm that classifies data points
based on the majority class of its k-nearest neighbors.
7. K-Means Clustering: An unsupervised algorithm used for grouping similar
data points into clusters.
8. Naive Bayes: A probabilistic classifier based on Bayes’ Theorem, commonly
used for text classification tasks.
9. Neural Networks: Models inspired by the human brain, especially used in
deep learning tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.