feature-transformation-techniques

Logarithmic transformation

  • Use the logarithmic operation to compress the range of values and reduce skewness
  • Log is essentially finding what the power is needed for the base to obtain the input
  • Base 2: $log_2(X)=Y$ is finding what should $Y$ be such that $2^Y=X$, so $log_2(8)=3$ because $2^3=8$
  • Base 10: $log_{10}(X)=Y$ is finding what should $Y$ be such that $10^Y=X$
  • Base e or natural log: $ln(X)=Y$ is finding what Y be such that $e^Y=X$

Square Root Transformation

  • This technique reduces the range of values by taking the square root of each value. It is useful for stabilizing variance.

Box-Cox Transformation

  • A family of power transformation