Q5.Marks: +2.0UGC NET Paper 2: Computer Science 2nd January 2026 Shift 1
Consider the following statements about reinforcement learning.
A. The adaptive dynamic programming agent leaves the transition model between states utilizes to solve the corresponding Markov decision process using dynamic programming.
B. Temporal difference needs a transition model to perform its updates.
C. The prioritized sweeping heuristic focuses on adjusting states with successors that have undergone significant changes in utility estimates.
D. The approach of modified policy iteration involves adopting a simplified value utility estimates following each change to the learned model.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
1.A, B & C Only
2.A, B & D Only
3.A, C & D Only✓ Correct
4.B, C & D Only
Solution
The correct answer is A, C & D Only.
Key Points
Statement A: The adaptive dynamic programming agent leaves the transition model between states to solve the corresponding Markov decision process using dynamic programming. This statement is correct as adaptive dynamic programming relies on the transition model for solving MDPs.
Statement C: The prioritized sweeping heuristic focuses on adjusting states with successors that have undergone significant changes in utility estimates. This is a valid statement, as prioritized sweeping optimizes learning by focusing on impactful states.
Statement D: The approach of modified policy iteration involves adopting a simplified value utility estimate following each change to the learned model. This statement is accurate, as modified policy iteration balances computational efficiency and convergence speed.
Statement B: Temporal difference needs a transition model to perform its updates. This statement is incorrect because temporal difference learning updates value estimates directly from experience without requiring a transition model.
Additional Information
Reinforcement Learning:
Reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning in which agents learn optimal behavior by interacting with an environment and receiving rewards or penalties.
It is widely applied in robotics, game-playing AI, and real-world decision-making problems.
Key Methods in RL:
Dynamic Programming: Requires a full transition and reward model to solve MDPs.
Temporal Difference: Combines ideas from Monte Carlo methods and dynamic programming, performing updates without a model.
Prioritized Sweeping: Focuses on states with significant changes, enhancing learning efficiency.
Advantages of RL:
RL enables agents to learn autonomously and adapt to dynamic environments.
It supports optimization in complex decision spaces without explicit programming.
Important Considerations:
Proper balance between exploration and exploitation is crucial for effective learning.
Efficient use of computational resources can significantly impact the performance of RL algorithms.