Math Problem Statement

Define the KL divergence between two Bernoulli distributions to be KL^+(p||q) = p * ln(p/q) + (1 - p) * ln((1 - p)/(1 - q)). Show that KL^+(p||q) ≥ 2(p - q)^2.

Solution

The KL divergence between two Bernoulli distributions KL+(pq)KL^+(p||q) is defined as:

KL+(pq)=pln(pq)+(1p)ln(1p1q)KL^+(p||q) = p \ln \left( \frac{p}{q} \right) + (1 - p) \ln \left( \frac{1 - p}{1 - q} \right)

You are asked to show that KL+(pq)2(pq)2KL^+(p||q) \geq 2(p - q)^2.

Approach to Prove the Inequality:

  1. Taylor Series Expansion: To compare KL+(pq)KL^+(p||q) with 2(pq)22(p - q)^2, we can consider expanding both expressions in a Taylor series around p=qp = q. Since the KL divergence measures the difference between two probability distributions, it is often bounded below by a quadratic function of (pq)(p - q), which gives a hint that second-order approximations may help.

  2. First-Order and Second-Order Terms: Expand both terms ln(pq)\ln \left( \frac{p}{q} \right) and ln(1p1q)\ln \left( \frac{1 - p}{1 - q} \right) around p=qp = q to understand the relationship between KL+(pq)KL^+(p||q) and 2(pq)22(p - q)^2.

    Using the approximations for small x=pqx = p - q: ln(1+x)xx22+O(x3)\ln(1 + x) \approx x - \frac{x^2}{2} + \mathcal{O}(x^3) allows you to express KL+(pq)KL^+(p||q) in terms of pqp - q.

  3. Bound the KL Divergence: The goal is to show that the quadratic approximation of the KL divergence yields a bound that is greater than or equal to 2(pq)22(p - q)^2, meaning that the KL divergence grows faster than 2(pq)22(p - q)^2 as pp diverges from qq.

Would you like me to go step-by-step through the full derivation, or provide the final key insights directly?

Next Questions:

  1. What is the Taylor expansion of the logarithmic terms ln(pq)\ln \left( \frac{p}{q} \right) and ln(1p1q)\ln \left( \frac{1 - p}{1 - q} \right) for small pqp - q?
  2. Why is the KL divergence non-negative, and what does that imply about its behavior near p=qp = q?
  3. How does expanding KL+(pq)KL^+(p||q) near p=qp = q help in deriving the inequality?
  4. Can you explain how quadratic approximations are used in probability theory to bound divergences or distances?
  5. What are some practical applications of KL divergence bounds like this in information theory?

Tip:

KL divergence is often used in machine learning to measure how much one distribution differs from a reference. Understanding its bounds can help in model evaluation, especially in classification and generative modeling.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability Theory
Information Theory
Bernoulli Distribution
KL Divergence

Formulas

KL^+(p||q) = p * ln(p/q) + (1 - p) * ln((1 - p)/(1 - q))
Taylor Series Expansion: ln(1 + x) ≈ x - x^2/2

Theorems

KL Divergence Non-Negativity
Quadratic Approximation in Probability

Suitable Grade Level

University Level