Computing for Business Analytics and Machine Learning Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts in business analytics computing, Python programming, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn, and regression modeling.

Correlation Coefficient ($r$)

A statistical measure that quantifies the degree and direction of a linear relationship between two variables, ranging from $-1$ (perfect negative linear relationship) to $+1$ (perfect positive linear relationship).

Coefficient of Determination ($R^2$)

A statistical metric ranging from $0$ to $1$ that indicates how well the independent variables explain the variability of the dependent variable in a regression model.

Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE)

A regression evaluation metric calculated as $RMSE = \frac{\sqrt{\sum_{i=1}^n (\hat{y}_i - y_i)^2}}{n}$ that measures the magnitude of prediction errors.

Overfitting

A condition in machine learning where a model produces a highly complex explanation that fits training data exceptionally well but generalizes poorly to new, unseen data.

Training Partition

The subset of a dataset used by a machine learning algorithm to learn parameters and build models.

Validation Partition

A separate subset of data used to evaluate model performance on unseen data and select the best model to prevent overfitting.

Regression Intercept ($\beta_0$)

The baseline predicted outcome value in a linear regression model when all predictor variables equal $0$.

Beta Coefficient ($\beta_i$)

The parameter in a regression model representing the expected change in the outcome variable for a $1$-unit increase in that predictor, holding all other predictors constant.

NumPy Array Upcasting

The automatic conversion performed by NumPy to cast array element values to a common data type in order to maintain a fixed-datatype structure.

shape (NumPy Attribute)

An array attribute that returns a tuple giving the dimensions of the array across its axes.

size (NumPy Attribute)

An array attribute that returns the total number of elements contained in the array.

ndim (NumPy Attribute)

An array attribute that returns the total number of dimensions or axes of the array.

loc vs iloc

Pandas data selection tools where loc selects rows and columns using index or column labels, while iloc selects using integer positions.

k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN)

A supervised classification algorithm that classifies a new observation based on the categories of its $k$ nearest known observations using distance metrics.

k-Means Clustering

An unsupervised learning algorithm that groups observations into clusters around cluster centers.

Feature Scaling

A data preprocessing technique that puts numeric features on comparable scales so features with larger ranges do not dominate distance calculations.

.fit() vs .predict()

Methods in scikit-learn where .fit() trains the model by learning parameters from data, whereas .predict() applies the trained model to make predictions.

Assignment (=) vs Comparison (==) Operators

Python operators where = assigns a value to a variable, whereas == compares two values to evaluate whether they are equal.

While Loop Update

A statement inside a while loop body that modifies the state variable to prevent an infinite loop.

Nested Logic Iteration

An execution pattern where an inner loop completes its full sequence of iterations for every single iteration of the outer loop.

print() vs return

Function constructs where print() only displays values to the screen, whereas return sends a value back to the caller for further program use.

Import Alias (as)

Syntax used during package imports to assign a shorter shorthand alias for calling functions from a library.

list.pop() vs list.remove()

Python list methods where pop(index) removes and returns an item at a specified index, while remove(value) deletes the first occurrence of a matching value.

File Modes ('r', 'w', 'a')

Modes used in open(): 'r' opens for reading, 'w' opens for writing (overwriting), and 'a' opens for appending.

Modulo Operator (%)

An arithmetic operator in Python that calculates and returns the remainder of division between two numbers.

Exponentiation Operator (**)

An arithmetic operator in Python that raises a base number to a specified power.

train_test_split()

A utility function from sklearn.model_selection that partitions data into separate training and testing subsets.

Accumulator

A programming variable used to maintain a running total or cumulative value, initialized before a loop and updated within the loop body.

Relational Database

A database structure that organizes data into tables and uses SQL commands to manage data while minimizing redundancy.

Short-Circuit Evaluation

The behavior in logical expressions where evaluation stops as soon as the overall truth value is determined.