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Genetic Algorithm

Genetic algorithms are inspired by natural selection, where the fittest individuals are selected to reproduce and pass on their traits, while less fit individuals are less likely to reproduce. A genetic algorithm uses populations of individuals represented by chromosomes of genes, evaluates their fitness, selects the fittest for reproduction, and generates new offspring through crossover and occasional random mutation. This process is repeated until the population converges on an optimal solution.

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59 views6 pages

Genetic Algorithm

Genetic algorithms are inspired by natural selection, where the fittest individuals are selected to reproduce and pass on their traits, while less fit individuals are less likely to reproduce. A genetic algorithm uses populations of individuals represented by chromosomes of genes, evaluates their fitness, selects the fittest for reproduction, and generates new offspring through crossover and occasional random mutation. This process is repeated until the population converges on an optimal solution.

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A genetic algorithm is a search heuristic that is inspired by Charles

Darwin’s theory of natural evolution. This algorithm reflects the process


of natural selection where the fittest individuals are selected for
reproduction in order to produce offspring of the next generation.

Notion of Natural Selection


The process of natural selection starts with the selection of fittest
individuals from a population. They produce offspring which inherit the
characteristics of the parents and will be added to the next generation. If
parents have better fitness, their offspring will be better than parents and
have a better chance at surviving. This process keeps on iterating and at
the end, a generation with the fittest individuals will be found.
This notion can be applied for a search problem. We consider a set of
solutions for a problem and select the set of best ones out of them.

Five phases are considered in a genetic algorithm.

1. Initial population

2. Fitness function

3. Selection

4. Crossover

5. Mutation

Initial Population
The process begins with a set of individuals which is called
a Population. Each individual is a solution to the problem you want to
solve.

An individual is characterized by a set of parameters (variables) known


as Genes. Genes are joined into a string to form
a Chromosome (solution).

In a genetic algorithm, the set of genes of an individual is represented


using a string, in terms of an alphabet. Usually, binary values are used
(string of 1s and 0s). We say that we encode the genes in a chromosome.
Population, Chromosomes and Genes

Fitness Function
The fitness function determines how fit an individual is (the ability of an
individual to compete with other individuals). It gives a fitness score to
each individual. The probability that an individual will be selected for
reproduction is based on its fitness score.

Selection
The idea of selection phase is to select the fittest individuals and let them
pass their genes to the next generation.

Two pairs of individuals (parents) are selected based on their fitness


scores. Individuals with high fitness have more chance to be selected for
reproduction.
Crossover
Crossover is the most significant phase in a genetic algorithm. For each
pair of parents to be mated, a crossover point is chosen at random from
within the genes.

For example, consider the crossover point to be 3 as shown below.

Crossover point

Offspring are created by exchanging the genes of parents among


themselves until the crossover point is reached.
Exchanging genes among parents

The new offspring are added to the population.

New offspring

Mutation
In certain new offspring formed, some of their genes can be subjected to
a mutation with a low random probability. This implies that some of the
bits in the bit string can be flipped.

Mutation: Before and After

Mutation occurs to maintain diversity within the population and prevent


premature convergence.

Termination
The algorithm terminates if the population has converged (does not
produce offspring which are significantly different from the previous
generation). Then it is said that the genetic algorithm has provided a set
of solutions to our problem.

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