Markov Decision Process

A machine learning algorithm may be tasked with an optimization problem. Using reinforcement learning, the algorithm will attempt to optimize the actions taken within an environment, in order to maximize the potential reward. Where supervised learning techniques require correct input/output pairs to create a model, reinforcement learning uses Markov decision processes to determine an optimal balance of exploration and exploitation. Machine learning may use reinforcement learning by way of the Markov decision process when the probabilities and rewards of an outcome are unspecified or unknown.