Data normalization in machine learning
Data normalization in machine learning is a preprocessing step to rescale features to a standard range, typically [0, 1] or [-1, 1]. This ensures that no single feature dominates the model due to its scale. Normalization improves model performance and convergence speed in algorithms like gradient descent.
Common normalization techniques:
1. Min-Max Scaling: Scales features to a fixed range, usually [0, 1].
2. Z-score Standardization: Centers data around the mean with a unit standard deviation.
3. Max Abs Scaler: Scales each feature by its maximum absolute value.
Normalization is crucial for algorithms sensitive to feature scales, such as k-nearest neighbors and neural networks, enhancing accuracy and computational efficiency.