Question

________ represents a top down clustering method in cluster analysis.

• A. Agglomerative clustering
• B. Sequential agglomerative hierarchic nonoverlapping clustering method
• C. Divisive clustering
• D. Partitional clustering

Hint:

Remember that divisive clustering works by splitting clusters rather than merging them.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept
Cluster Analysis

Step 2: Meaning
A technique for classifying objects into different groups (clusters) based on some measure of similarity.

Step 3: Analysis
Divisive clustering is a bottom-up approach, where the entire dataset is considered as one cluster initially and then successively divided into smaller clusters. This contrasts with agglomerative methods which start from individual data points and merge them step by step.

Step 4: Conclusion
Agglomerative clustering (option A) is a top-down method, but it starts from each data point being its own cluster and merges them. Divisive clustering (option C) is the correct answer as it starts with all data in one cluster and splits into smaller clusters. Final Answer: (C)