Intermediate · Research
Evolutionary algorithm (EA)
Visual diagram · (in preparation) · Math · (in preparation) · Worked example · 3 difficulty levels.
TL;DR. An optimization algorithm inspired by biological evolution, using processes like selection and mutation to find solutions.
Technical Definition
An optimization algorithm inspired by biological evolution, using processes like selection and mutation to find solutions.
How it works
Evolutionary algorithms are optimization techniques inspired by natural selection and biological evolution. They maintain a population of candidate solutions, iteratively applying operators like selection, crossover, and mutation to evolve better solutions over generations. These algorithms are effective for complex problems where traditional optimization methods may struggle.
Related Concepts
- Optimization — The mathematical process of finding parameter values that minimize a loss function.
- Evolutionary computation — A family of optimization algorithms that mimic biological evolution to solve problems.
- Genetic algorithm (GA) — An optimization technique inspired by natural selection, using processes like mutation and crossover to find solutions to complex problems.