How is the KL-divergence expression for mutual information expanded into a sum?
Conditions
- The derivation is for discrete distributions using probability mass functions.
- The logarithm base is not explicitly stated in the expanded sum, though earlier entropy used base 2.
- The ratio form requires and on the summed support.
Reasoning, step by step
- Start with the KL divergence formula .
- Substitute and .
- Apply the discrete summation definition: .
- Write the expanded form: .
Example
The video displays the expansion: , which the narrator explains as the joint-weighted average log-ratio between the true joint and the independent reference law.
Common misconceptions
- Assuming the sum is over only or only ; it is a double sum over all pairs .
- Forgetting that the logarithm applies to the entire ratio , not just the numerator.
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Conditional entropy H(X|Y) measures the average remaining uncertainty or surprise about a random variable X after another random variable Y has been observed. It is defined as the expected value of the conditional self-information h(x|y) over the joint distribution of X and Y.
Conditions: X and Y are discrete random variables.; The sum is taken over the joint alphabet .
Joint entropy is not equal to because adding the marginal entropies double-counts the mutual information I(X;Y) shared between the variables. The correct relationship is (X;Y).
Conditions: X and Y are random variables that may share information (i.e., they are not necessarily independent).
In the entropy Venn diagram, the left circle represents the entropy and the right circle represents . Their intersection represents the mutual information .
Conditions: Suitable for illustrating information decomposition between two discrete random variables and .
When and are independent, knowing one tells you nothing about the other. Mathematically, the joint distribution factors into the product of the marginals, .
Conditions: Applies to the case where and are independent.; The displayed notation uses probability mass functions , , and .
Yes, mutual information is perfectly symmetric. The formula holds true.
Conditions: Applies to any pair of random variables and for which mutual information is defined.
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