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Mahalanobis distance

Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – IV – theoretical prediction for a 3-dimensional MVN-core

In this post series we study ellipsoidal cores of Multivariate Normal Distributions [MVNs]. We defined a “core” as the volume enclosed by a selected contour surface of constant probability density. We constructed cut-off distributions by setting the probability density to zero outside the core. In previous posts we have already discussed volume integrals which would give us a relation between… Read More »Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – IV – theoretical prediction for a 3-dimensional MVN-core

Cut-off BVN limited to an ellipsoidal core

Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – III – results for a 2-dimensional BVN-core and proper normalization of its cut-off distribution

In the math section of this blog, we try to cover interesting aspects of Multivariate Normal Distributions [MVNs]. The topic of this post series is the covariance matrix of a MVN-like distribution confined inside a hyper-surface of constant probability density. Outside of the surface we set the probability density to zero. This gives us a “cut-off” MVN- distribution. Contour surfaces… Read More »Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – III – results for a 2-dimensional BVN-core and proper normalization of its cut-off distribution

3-dim projections of 4-dim MVN

Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – II – integrals over volume and surface of an n-dimensional sphere

In the 1st post of this series, we have posed the following problem: Take the probability density of a Multivariate Normal Distribution [MVN], but set it to zero at Mahalanobis distances bigger than a finite distance D. Take a respective volume region enclosed by a contour surface of constant probability density (at the Mahalanobis distance dm=D). We have called such… Read More »Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – II – integrals over volume and surface of an n-dimensional sphere

Cut-off BVN limited to an ellipsoidal core

Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – I – intricate integrals with exponentials over the volumes and surfaces of n-dimensional ellipsoids?

In Machine Learning and statistics one sometimes has to work with a data sample whose underlying probability distribution approximates a Multivariate Normal Distribution [MVN] – but only within the ellipsoidal region of a central core. The core’s surface is assumed to reflect a contour surface of the MVN and would therefore be given by a finite Mahalanobis distance D. I.e.,… Read More »Covariance matrix of a cut-off Multivariate Normal Distribution – I – intricate integrals with exponentials over the volumes and surfaces of n-dimensional ellipsoids?