{"product_id":"9781118309841","title":"Optimal Learning","description":"\u003cb\u003eLearn the science of collecting information to make effective decisions\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003eEveryday decisions are made without the benefit of accurate information. \u003ci\u003eOptimal Learning\u003c\/i\u003e develops the needed principles for gathering information to make decisions, especially when collecting information is time-consuming and expensive. Designed for readers with an elementary background in probability and statistics, the book presents effective and practical policies illustrated in a wide range of applications, from energy, homeland security, and transportation to engineering, health, and business.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis book covers the fundamental dimensions of a learning problem and presents a simple method for testing and comparing policies for learning. Special attention is given to the knowledge gradient policy and its use with a wide range of belief models, including lookup table and parametric and for online and offline problems. Three sections develop ideas with increasing levels of sophistication:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFundamentals\u003c\/b\u003e explores fundamental topics, including adaptive learning, ranking and selection, the knowledge gradient, and bandit problems\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eExtensions and Applications\u003c\/b\u003e features coverage of linear belief models, subset selection models, scalar function optimization, optimal bidding, and stopping problems\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAdvanced Topics\u003c\/b\u003e explores complex methods including simulation optimization, active learning in mathematical programming, and optimal continuous measurements\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eEach chapter identifies a specific learning problem, presents the related, practical algorithms for implementation, and concludes with numerous exercises. A related website features additional applications and downloadable software, including MATLAB and the Optimal Learning Calculator, a spreadsheet-based package that provides an introduc­tion to learning and a variety of policies for learning.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47120033546480,"sku":"9781118309841","price":128.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781118309841_p0.jpg?v=1769888029","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781118309841","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}