4
$\begingroup$

Let’s suppose I wanted to classify some input as one of three categories using a simple neural network.

The output of my network are three columns (one for each possible category I assume) with values between 0 and 1. Moreover, the single rows add up to precisely one when adding the three columns together. Is is possible to interpret the output as the probability of my input belonging to each single category?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

7
$\begingroup$

Indeed, this is the standard interpretation of continuous classifier outputs, not only for neural networks, but for the more general case called Softmax Regression.

Thus, provided that you have used softmax activation on the final layer (in order, among other things, to ensure that your outputs indeed sum up to 1), you can interpret the continuous outputs as the respective probabilities of a particular data sample belonging to each one of your classes.

See also the discussion in this (rather unfortunately titled) discussion at SO:

How to convert the output of an artificial neural network into probabilities?

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.