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The UCB pull bound

ProofGraduate⏱ 3 hoursAgentsucbbanditshoeffdingunion bound

Problem

Prove that UCB1 pulls a suboptimal arm at most 8log⁡T/Δi2+1+π2/38\log T/\Delta_i^2 + 1 + \pi^2/3 times in expectation. Identify the three events whose union must occur when a suboptimal arm is selected, and show why the third becomes impossible once the pull count is large enough.

Write a complete argument. Every inequality you use should be one you could state precisely.

Hints

Hints — 0 of 3 revealed

Solution

Opening this before you have a real attempt on paper is the fastest way to feel like you understand something you cannot reproduce.

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