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Machine Learning with R

Machine Learning with R

By : Brett Lantz
4.4 (73)
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Machine Learning with R

Machine Learning with R

4.4 (73)
By: Brett Lantz

Overview of this book

Machine learning, at its core, is concerned with transforming data into actionable knowledge. This fact makes machine learning well-suited to the present-day era of "big data" and "data science". Given the growing prominence of R—a cross-platform, zero-cost statistical programming environment—there has never been a better time to start applying machine learning. Whether you are new to data science or a veteran, machine learning with R offers a powerful set of methods for quickly and easily gaining insight from your data. "Machine Learning with R" is a practical tutorial that uses hands-on examples to step through real-world application of machine learning. Without shying away from the technical details, we will explore Machine Learning with R using clear and practical examples. Well-suited to machine learning beginners or those with experience. Explore R to find the answer to all of your questions. How can we use machine learning to transform data into action? Using practical examples, we will explore how to prepare data for analysis, choose a machine learning method, and measure the success of the process. We will learn how to apply machine learning methods to a variety of common tasks including classification, prediction, forecasting, market basket analysis, and clustering. By applying the most effective machine learning methods to real-world problems, you will gain hands-on experience that will transform the way you think about data. "Machine Learning with R" will provide you with the analytical tools you need to quickly gain insight from complex data.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
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Machine Learning with R
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
9
Finding Groups of Data – Clustering with k-means
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Index

Chapter 9. Finding Groups of Data – Clustering with k-means

Have you ever spent time watching large crowds? As a sociologist, this was one of my favorite pastimes. I would choose a busy location, such as a coffee shop, library, or cafeteria, and observe the masses of people for interesting patterns of behavior. The goal was to look for details that reveal an insight into how people, as a general rule, relate to each other and their environment.

The more you perform such observational research, the more you may see recurring personalities. Perhaps a certain type of person, identified by a freshly-pressed suit and a briefcase, comes to typify the white-collar business executive. A twenty-something wearing tight jeans, a flannel shirt, and sunglasses might fall into the hipster category, while a woman unloading children from a minivan could be labeled a soccer mom.

Of course, these types of stereotypes are dangerous to apply to individuals—no two people are exactly alike. Used in aggregate, however...

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