Optimal rank-two PCA

Problem

A centered three-dimensional population has covariance eigenvalues 55, 22, and 11, with orthonormal eigenvectors u1u_1, u2u_2, and u3u_3. For rank-two PCA, state the optimal subspace, retained variance, explained fraction, and minimum expected squared reconstruction error.

Reveal answer or reference solution

The optimal subspace is span⁡(u1,u2)\operatorname{span}(u_1,u_2). It retains variance 5+2=75+2=7 out of a total of 88, so the explained fraction is 78\frac{7}{8}. The minimum expected squared reconstruction error is the discarded variance, 11.

Outcome

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