# Unsupervised Bump Hunting Using Principal Components

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.8630 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1409.8630/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 30 Sep 2014.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [PRIM-cipal components analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.15538/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Principal Components Analysis is a widely used technique for dimension reduction and characterization of variability in multivariate populations. Our interest lies in studying when and why the rotation to principal components can be used effectively within a response-predictor set relationship in the context of mode hunting. Specifically focusing on the Patient Rule Induction Method (PRIM), we first develop a fast version of this algorithm (fastPRIM) under normality which facilitates the theoretical studies to follow. Using basic geometrical arguments, we then demonstrate how the PC rotation of the predictor space alone can in fact generate improved mode estimators. Simulation results are used to illustrate our findings.