Efficient Polynomial Representations and Transformations for Tractable Probabilistic Inference

Основні поняття

Probabilistic circuits can compactly represent multilinear polynomials that encode probability distributions. This paper studies the relationships between various polynomial semantics, including likelihood, network, generating, and Fourier polynomials, and shows that they are all equivalent in the sense that any circuit for one can be transformed into a circuit for any of the others with only a polynomial increase in size. This establishes the tractability of marginal inference on the same class of distributions across these different polynomial representations.

Анотація

The paper studies the relationships between various polynomial representations of probability distributions that can be compactly encoded using probabilistic circuits (PCs). These polynomial representations include:

1. Likelihood polynomial: Directly computes the probability mass function.
2. Network polynomial: Uses additional input variables and special structure to enable efficient computation of arbitrary marginal probabilities.
3. Generating polynomial: Represents the probability generating function of the distribution.
4. Fourier polynomial: Represents the Fourier transform of the probability mass function.

The key findings are:

1. For binary distributions, the authors prove that each of these polynomial representations is equivalent in the sense that a circuit for one can be transformed into a circuit for any of the others with only a polynomial increase in size. This implies that they all support tractable marginal inference on the same class of distributions.

2. The authors provide linear-time inference algorithms for circuits computing likelihood polynomials, and polynomial-time transformations between the different polynomial representations.

3. The authors explore the natural extension of generating polynomials to categorical distributions and show that for categories with 4 or more values, inference becomes #P-hard.

4. The authors also discuss how the transformations simplify when the circuits are constrained to be decomposable, a common structural property that guarantees tractable marginal inference.

Overall, the paper establishes the equivalence of these polynomial representations, unifying various tractable probabilistic models and enabling the transfer of theoretical and algorithmic results between them.

Статистика

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Цитати

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Ключові висновки, отримані з

Polynomial Semantics of Tractable Probabilistic Circuits

by Oliver Broad... о arxiv.org 04-30-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2402.09085.pdf

Глибші Запити

What are some potential applications of the established equivalence between the different polynomial representations of probability distributions

The established equivalence between different polynomial representations of probability distributions opens up various potential applications in the field of machine learning and probabilistic modeling.

Efficient Inference: One immediate application is in improving the efficiency of marginal inference algorithms. By showing that different polynomial semantics can be transformed into each other with only a polynomial increase in size, it allows for the interchangeability of these representations without sacrificing computational tractability. This can lead to faster and more scalable inference in probabilistic models.

Model Interpretability: The equivalence between polynomial representations can enhance the interpretability of probabilistic models. Researchers and practitioners can choose the most suitable polynomial semantics based on the specific requirements of the application, knowing that they can easily switch between representations without losing expressiveness.

Model Compression: The ability to transform between different polynomial representations with minimal increase in size can be leveraged for model compression. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where memory or computational resources are limited, allowing for more efficient storage and deployment of probabilistic models.

Cross-Domain Applications: The insights gained from the equivalence between polynomial representations can be applied across various domains such as natural language processing, computer vision, and bioinformatics. By understanding the relationships between different polynomial semantics, researchers can develop more versatile and adaptable probabilistic models for diverse applications.

How might the insights from this work inform the design of new tractable probabilistic models that can leverage the strengths of different polynomial semantics

The insights from this work can inform the design of new tractable probabilistic models by providing a framework for leveraging the strengths of different polynomial semantics. Here are some ways in which these insights can influence the design of new models:

Hybrid Models: Researchers can explore the development of hybrid probabilistic models that combine elements from different polynomial representations. By integrating the advantages of network polynomials, likelihood polynomials, generating functions, and Fourier transforms, new models can achieve a balance between efficiency, interpretability, and computational tractability.

Adaptive Model Selection: The understanding of the equivalence between polynomial representations can guide the selection of the most appropriate representation for a given task. Models can be designed to dynamically switch between different polynomial semantics based on the characteristics of the data or the requirements of the inference task.

Scalable Inference Algorithms: The insights can lead to the development of more efficient and scalable inference algorithms for probabilistic models. By leveraging the transformations between polynomial representations, new algorithms can be designed to optimize inference speed and accuracy across different types of distributions.

Interdisciplinary Applications: The design of new tractable probabilistic models can benefit from interdisciplinary collaborations, incorporating insights from fields such as mathematics, computer science, and statistics. By integrating diverse perspectives, researchers can create innovative models that push the boundaries of probabilistic modeling.

Are there other polynomial representations of probability distributions beyond the ones considered in this paper, and how might they relate to the established transformations

While the paper focuses on network polynomials, likelihood polynomials, generating functions, and Fourier transforms as polynomial representations of probability distributions, there are other polynomial representations that could be explored in relation to the established transformations.

Moment Generating Functions: Moment generating functions are commonly used in probability theory to uniquely determine the probability distribution of a random variable. Exploring the relationships between moment generating functions and the polynomial representations studied in the paper could provide additional insights into the structure and properties of probabilistic models.

Characteristic Functions: Similar to Fourier transforms, characteristic functions are used to represent probability distributions in the frequency domain. Investigating how characteristic functions relate to the polynomial representations considered in the paper could offer a deeper understanding of the connections between different mathematical representations of distributions.

Cumulant Generating Functions: Cumulant generating functions provide a way to characterize higher moments of a distribution. Studying the transformations between cumulant generating functions and the polynomial representations discussed in the paper could shed light on the role of higher-order statistics in probabilistic modeling.

By exploring these and other polynomial representations, researchers can further enrich the understanding of tractable probabilistic models and their applications in various domains.