Information Gain in Decision Trees - Constructing A Decision Tree Using Information Gain

Constructing A Decision Tree Using Information Gain

A decision tree can be constructed top-down using the information gain in the following way:

  1. begin at the root node
  2. determine the attribute with the highest information gain which is not already used as an ancestor node
  3. add a child node for each possible value of that attribute
  4. attach all examples to the child node where the attribute values of the examples are identical to the attribute value attached to the node
  5. if all examples attached to the child node can be classified uniquely add that classification to that node and mark it as leaf node
  6. go back to step two if there are unused attributes left, otherwise add the classification of most of the examples attached to the child node

Read more about this topic:  Information Gain In Decision Trees

Famous quotes containing the words constructing, decision, tree, information and/or gain:

    “The very hope of experimental philosophy, its expectation of constructing the sciences into a true philosophy of nature, is based on induction, or, if you please, the a priori presumption, that physical causation is universal; that the constitution of nature is written in its actual manifestations, and needs only to be deciphered by experimental and inductive research; that it is not a latent invisible writing, to be brought out by the magic of mental anticipation or metaphysical mediation.”
    —Chauncey Wright (1830–1875)

    “Once the decision has been reached, close your ears even to the best counter-argument: a sign of strong character. Thus an occasional will to stupidity.”
    —Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    “I said I had the tree. It wasn’t true.
    The opposite was true. The tree had me.
    The minute it was left with me alone,
    It caught me up as if I were the fish
    And it the fishpole.”
    —Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    “Phenomenal nature shadows him wherever he goes. Clouds in the staring sky transmit to one another, by means of slow signs, incredibly detailed information regarding him. His inmost thoughts are discussed at nightfall, in manual alphabet, by darkly gesticulating trees. Pebbles or stains or sunflecks form patterns representing in some awful way messages which he must intercept. Everything is a cipher and of everything he is the theme.”
    —Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)

    “The honest Man has, I know, that modest Desire of Gain which is peculiar to those who understand better Things than Riches; and I dare say he would be contented with much less than what is called Wealth in that Quarter of the Town which he inhabits, and will oblige all his Customers with Demands agreeable to the Moderation of his Desires.”
    —Richard Steele (1672–1729)