Gaussian Bayesian network 2026-10-05
A Gaussian Bayesian network specifies a linear normal conditional model at each node of a Bayesian network: . Independent local errors and an acyclic ordering generate a joint multivariate normal distribution. Positive conditional variances give a nonsingular joint multivariate normal distribution. The graph constrains regression coefficients and hence conditional independence.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 207 2 b ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The original PDF shows the chain , not a collider. Its Bayesian network factorization is . For any with positive marginal probability,Integrating or summing over also gives the same conditional marginal . ThusThis is conditional independence; the graph does not generally imply marginal independence, since summing over can transmit dependence from to . Special statistical parameter choices can make marginal independence hold as well, so the claim is that only the conditional statement is guaranteed by the graph. Conditional distributions on null values of are immaterial to this assertion.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 207 2 b i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Reading the arrows in the original diagram gives parents , and . The Bayesian network factorization isFor binary variables, each conditional probability table has one free probability per parent configuration, since its two entries sum to one. There are one each for and , four for , and two for , givingThis is the dimension of the unrestricted binary Bayesian network family; extra statistical parameter equalities or deterministic relationships would describe a smaller model and are not imposed by the diagram.