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Neural Networks and Computational Learning Theory

 

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NeuroCOLT Technical Report NC-TR-96-050

Learning from Examples and Side Information

Joel Ratsaby
Technion
Israel

Vitaly Maiorov
Technion
Israel

Abstract
We set up a theoretical framework for learning from examples and side information which enables us to compute the tradeoff between the sample complexity and information complexity for learning a target function in a Sobolev functional class $\cal F$. We use the notion of the $n^{th}$ minimal radius of information  of Traub et. al. and combine it with VC-theory to define a new quantity $I_{n,d}({\cal F})$ which measures the minimal approximation error of a target $g\in {\cal F}$ by the family of function classes with pseudo-dimension $d$ under a given side information which consists of any $n$ measurements on the target function $g$ constrained to being linear operators. By obtaining almost tight upper and lower bounds on $I_{n,d}({\cal F})$ we find an information operator $\hat{N}_n$ which yields a worst-case error no larger than a logarithmic factor in $n$ and $d$ than the lower bound on $I_{n,d}({\cal F})$. Hence to within a logarithmic factor it is the most efficient way of providing side information about a target $g$ under the constraint that the information operator must be linear and that the approximating class has pseudo-dimension $d$
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