Skip to main content

Study Weekend - Chapter 5 - Decision Trees

Study Log · Machine Learning

Back to Studying

HOMLP Chapter 5 — Decision Trees & Cold Brew

5
Chapter
~1mo
Break Taken
EOM
Target

This weekend I'm back studying Chapter 5 (Decision Trees) from Hands-On Machine Learning. I took about a month off.

On the Subject

Decision Trees

Decision Trees are satisfying to study. The logic is clean. You can visualize exactly how predictions are made. It feels structured and practical.

 

The Core Loop
  • Split the data — find the feature and threshold that best separates the classes
  • Measure impurity — Gini or entropy tells you how mixed a node is
  • Control depth — max_depth and min_samples are your primary levers
  • Avoid overfitting — a tree that memorizes training data is useless on new data
The Plan

Steady Progress

My goal is simple: finish this book by the end of the month and continue moving forward in my ML studies. No overthinking it. Just steady progress.

Fueled by cold brew. The tree will be built.

Chapter 5 · Decision Trees · end of month — no overthinking, just steady progress

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX-310 Series Headphones

Gear Review Budget Audio Face-off: Sony ZX Series Review Comparing the ZX-100, ZX-110, and ZX-310 for your everyday carry ~3 Models ~$10–$20 Price 2.5+ Years Longevity Table of Contents ① Build Quality ② Cost Comparison ③ Sound Quality ④ Overall Value ⑤ Upgrade Path Section I Build Quality The Sony ZX series headphones primarily feature a durable plastic construction. My ZX-100 has lasted over 2½ years, enduring countless tosses into my backpack and car without any issues. However, the lower-end ZX-100 and ZX-110 models have a significant downside: poor-quality earpads.   The Earpad Problem Over time, the earpads on the ZX-100 and ZX-110 disintegrate, leaving vinyl flakes that stick to your hair and ears. The ZX-310 comes with upgraded earpads that don't suffer from this problem — a clear win in the build department. Tip: If your earpads start to flake, it is a sign of material degradation; consider replacing the cushions or upgrading to a model with more durable synthetic lea...

Casio G-Shock 5600 vs 6900 vs 9000

Gear Review Finding the Perfect Fit: My G-Shock Journey A deep dive into balancing form, function, and wrist presence. 4 Models Tested 2 Favorite Series 1 Non-negotiable Feature Table of Contents ① The Quest for Size ② Best Compromise: G9000 Mudman Series ③ Feature Needs: G/GW vs DW ④ The Lineup: Models at a Glance ⑤ Final Verdict: 5600 Wins Section I The Quest for Size After trying out several G-Shock models, I've developed a better sense of the specific features and design elements I appreciate most. While features are always a plus, my main priority is size. Here's how some of the models I've tried stack up. 5600 Series For overall size, the 5600 series stands out as a favorite due to its compact, comfortable form. It's slim, lightweight, and fits well on my wrist without being too bulky. Although the 6900 series provides the benefit of a well-placed front illumination button, the 5600 remains the ideal size for everyday wear.   Section II Best Compromise: G900...

MacBook Air 2017 - A1466 - Linux - Project + Install Advice

Linux · Dev Hardware · Field Notes My "New" Linux Laptop 2017 MacBook Air — $120 on eBay, Running Linux Mint $120 Per Unit (eBay) 2× Units Acquired 6–8h Battery Life 2.96 lbs I needed a portable laptop with good battery life and decent specs to write code while outside — mostly small-to-medium Python or ASP.Net projects and a few basic ML models. My HP 2016 i7 is too bulky, the HP i3 is hideous, so I replaced my old Linux laptop with not one but a pair of MacBook Airs picked up on eBay for $120 each. Why two? Originally I got the 256GB MQD42LL/A, and when pricing a 512GB SSD upgrade it was basically the cost of a whole 512GB A1466. Why pay $80 for a drive when $120 gets an entire computer? Eventually I'll get a newer M-series MacBook to fulfill my programming needs — but for $120, this is unreal value. Even after 9 years it looks modern and...