get dummies - why do we need?
Hi,
I would like to understand why we need to get dummies please? What is the significance of this step?
Thank you.
1 answers ( 0 marked as helpful)
Hey Elisha,
Thank you for reaching out!
Machine learning algorithms work by performing a series of calculations. These calculations cannot be executed if the data we feed into the algorithm is categorical (non-numerical). Therefore, categorical data needs to be substituted by a corresponding numerical value - a dummy variable. That way, the algorithm will be able to perform the calculations that happen in the background.
Hope this helps!
Kind regards,
365 Hristina