Suppose that a learning algorithm is trying to find a consistent hypothesis when the classifications of examples are actually random. There are n Boolean attributes, and examples are drawn uniformly from the set of 2^n possible examples. Calculate the number of examples required before the probability of finding a contradiction in the data reaches 0.5.
Let’s analyze the scenario:
Finding a Contradiction:
A contradiction arises when a new example is observed whose classification cannot be accurately predicted by the existing hypothesis. In the case of random classifications, finding a contradiction is highly likely as the number of examples increases.
Calculation:
Total Possible Classifications: With ‘n’ Boolean attributes, there are 2^n possible combinations of attribute values. For each combination, there are 2 possible classifications (positive or negative). Therefore, the total number of possible classifications for all examples is 2^(2^n).
Probability of No Contradiction:
Probability of Finding a Contradiction:
To find the number of examples required for the probability of finding a contradiction to reach 0.5:
We need to solve the following equation: 1 – (1/2^(2^n))^(m-1) = 0.5
Rearranging the equation: (1/2^(2^n))^(m-1) = 0.5
Taking the logarithm of both sides: (m-1) * log(1/2^(2^n)) = log(0.5)
Solving for ‘m’: m = 1 + log(0.5) / log(1/2^(2^n))
This equation gives you the number of examples (‘m’) required to reach a 0.5 probability of finding a contradiction.