IBM Data Science Practice Test

Which of the following best describes a Decision Tree Classifier?

1. An analyzes a data set in which there are one or more independent variables that determine one of two outcomes

2. Maps observations about an item (represented in the branches) to conclusions about the item's target value (represented in the leaves)

3. Constructs multiple decision trees to produce the label that is a mode of each decision tree

4. Produces a classification prediction model in the form of an ensemble of decision trees

The correct answer is: Maps observations about an item (represented in the branches) to conclusions about the item's target value (represented in the leaves)

A Decision Tree Classifier is fundamentally designed to map observations about an item to conclusions regarding that item's target value. In this context, the structure of the decision tree consists of branches that represent decision rules derived from independent variables, while the leaves represent the final outcomes or classifications of the target variable. This mapping process allows the decision tree to navigate through the dataset's attributes effectively, leading to a logical conclusion based on the specific attributes of the observations. The key functionality here is how the decision tree breaks down the decision-making process into a series of simple, interpretable rules, enabling both classification and regression tasks. This interpretative aspect is crucial in many practical applications where understanding the decision logic is as important as obtaining the final classification. The other options highlight different aspects of decision trees or related concepts but do not accurately capture the primary functionality of a Decision Tree Classifier. For instance, while some choices mention constructing multiple trees or predictions based on ensemble methods, they misrepresent the fundamental operational mechanism of a single decision tree.