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DATA SCIENCE PYTHON PLAYGROUND

Machine Learning · Learn / Refresh

← Clustering and Discovery lessonsQUESTIONS · MODELS · EVIDENCE
Hierarchical discovery · ML-U-R2 · 15–20 MIN

Hierarchy retrieval

Retrieval 1

Exercises within this concept

  1. Retrieval 1Retrieve and applyCurrent exercise
  2. Retrieval 2Retrieve and apply
  3. Retrieval 3Retrieve and apply
Retrieval 1 · LINE24

A truncated Ward diagram has its last merge far above the others.

What does the merge height represent?

Retrieve earlier concepts before combining them.

This practice: Retrieve earlier concepts before combining them. Next: Retrieval 2 · Hierarchy retrieval.

Supporting concepts: Interpret discovery without inventing truth →

Remember the idea

Use the inputs and evidence to recover the method. Hints and explained solutions remain collapsed; exact phrasing is not graded.

Retrieve earlier concepts before combining them.Candidate ACandidate BFitValidateCostCompare matching evidence; smaller error can cost more.
Schematic · Retrieve earlier concepts before combining them.Scroll the diagram horizontally if needed.
Hint 1 — Think

Recall what Ward’s vertical scale measures.

Hint 2 — Tools

Merge distance and truncated hierarchy displays.

Hint 3 — Approach

Interpret the high merge under the fitted geometry without calling it a class probability.

Explained solution

It measures the merge according to Ward geometry. It is not a class probability or proof of true groups.

It measures the merge according to Ward geometry. It is not a class probability or proof of true groups.

Helpful prior knowledge: Interpret discovery without inventing truth These links are guidance, not locks.

Sources and API context

Examples run with this Playground’s scikit-learn 1.4.2 / Pyodide 0.26.4 runtime.

A truncated Ward diagram has its last merge far above the others. What does the merge height represent?