Updating Probabilities in Multiply-Connected Belief Networks

Abstract: This paper focuses on probability updates in multiply-connected belief networks. Pearl has designed the method of conditioning, which enables us to apply his algorithm for belief updates in singly-connected networks to multiply-connected belief networks by selecting a loop-cutset for the network and instantiating these loop-cutset nodes. We discuss conditions that need to be satisfied by the selected nodes. We present a heuristic algorithm for finding a loop-cutset that satisfies these conditions.