DENDROGRAM Meaning and
Definition
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A dendrogram is a visual representation or graphical tree diagram that illustrates the hierarchical arrangement of objects or entities within a dataset. Derived from the Greek words "dendron" meaning tree and "gramma" meaning drawing or representation, a dendrogram is commonly used in data analysis, clustering, and taxonomy.
In a dendrogram, the objects or entities being analyzed are depicted as points, and the distance or similarity between them is represented by vertical lines or branches. Objects with high similarity are located closer together, while those with low similarity are further apart. The length and orientation of the branches reflect the dissimilarity measures between the entities.
Dendrograms are widely used in various fields, including biology, genetics, social sciences, and data mining. They aid in understanding the relationships between different groups or clusters, allowing for the identification of subgroups or patterns within a larger dataset. By visually displaying the hierarchy, dendrograms help uncover insights and facilitate classification based on shared characteristics or attributes.
Furthermore, dendrograms are instrumental in decision-making processes such as identifying optimal cluster numbers in clustering algorithms or selecting cutoff points for data partitioning. They provide a comprehensive overview of complex relationships and serve as a valuable tool for organizing, visualizing, and interpreting hierarchical structures in data analysis.
Etymology of DENDROGRAM
The word "dendrogram" is derived from two Greek roots: "dendron" which means "tree", and "gramma" which means "drawing" or "representation".
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