# gpytorch.distributions¶

GPyTorch distribution objects are essentially the same as torch distribution objects. For the most part, GpyTorch relies on torch’s distribution library. However, we offer two custom distributions.

We implement a custom MultivariateNormal that accepts LazyTensor objects for covariance matrices. This allows us to use custom linear algebra operations, which makes this more efficient than PyTorch’s MVN implementation.

In addition, we implement a MultitaskMultivariateNormal which can be used with multi-output Gaussian process models.

Note

If Pyro is available, all GPyTorch distribution objects inherit Pyro’s distribution methods as well.

## Distribution¶

class gpytorch.distributions.Distribution[source]

## MultivariateNormal¶

class gpytorch.distributions.MultivariateNormal(mean, covariance_matrix, validate_args=False)[source]

Constructs a multivariate normal random variable, based on mean and covariance. Can be multivariate, or a batch of multivariate normals

Passing a vector mean corresponds to a multivariate normal. Passing a matrix mean corresponds to a batch of multivariate normals.

Parameters: mean (torch.tensor) – Vector n or matrix b x n mean of mvn distribution. covar (LazyTensor) – Matrix n x n or batch matrix b x n x n covariance of mvn distribution.
confidence_region()[source]

Returns 2 standard deviations above and below the mean.

Return type: (torch.Tensor, torch.Tensor) pair of tensors of size (b x d) or (d), where b is the batch size and d is the dimensionality of the random variable. The first (second) Tensor is the lower (upper) end of the confidence region.
get_base_samples(sample_shape=<MagicMock name='mock()' id='140082374409408'>)[source]

Get i.i.d. standard Normal samples (to be used with rsample(base_samples=base_samples))

class gpytorch.distributions.MultitaskMultivariateNormal(mean, covariance_matrix, validate_args=False, interleaved=True)[source]

Constructs a multi-output multivariate Normal random variable, based on mean and covariance Can be multi-output multivariate, or a batch of multi-output multivariate Normal

Passing a matrix mean corresponds to a multi-output multivariate Normal Passing a matrix mean corresponds to a batch of multivariate Normals

Parameters: mean (torch.Tensor) – An n x t or batch b x n x t matrix of means for the MVN distribution. covar (LazyTensor) – An nt x nt or batch b x nt x nt covariance matrix of MVN distribution. validate_args (bool) – (default=False) If True, validate mean anad covariance_matrix arguments. interleaved (bool) – (default=True) If True, covariance matrix is interpreted as block-diagonal w.r.t. inter-task covariances for each observation. If False, it is interpreted as block-diagonal w.r.t. inter-observation covariance for each task.
classmethod from_batch_mvn(batch_mvn, task_dim=-1)[source]

Reinterprate a batch of multivariate normal distributions as an (independent) multitask multivariate normal distribution.

Parameters: batch_mvn (MultivariateNormal) – The base MVN distribution. (This distribution should have at least one batch dimension). task_dim (int) – Which batch dimension should be interpreted as the dimension for the independent tasks. the independent multitask distribution gpytorch.distributions.MultitaskMultivariateNormal
Example:
>>> # model is a gpytorch.models.VariationalGP
>>> # likelihood is a gpytorch.likelihoods.Likelihood
>>> mean = torch.randn(4, 2, 3)
>>> covar_factor = torch.randn(4, 2, 3, 3)
>>> covar = covar_factor @ covar_factor.transpose(-1, -2)
>>> mvn = gpytorch.distributions.MultivariateNormal(mean, covar)
>>> print(mvn.event_shape, mvn.batch_shape)
>>> # torch.Size([3]), torch.Size([4, 2])
>>>
>>> print(mmvn.event_shape, mmvn.batch_shape)
>>> # torch.Size([3, 2]), torch.Size([4])

classmethod from_independent_mvns(mvns)[source]

Convert an iterable of MVNs into a MultitaskMultivariateNormal. The resulting distribution will have len(mvns) tasks, and the tasks will be independent.

Example:
>>> # model is a gpytorch.models.VariationalGP
>>> # likelihood is a gpytorch.likelihoods.Likelihood
>>> mean = torch.randn(4, 3)
>>> covar_factor = torch.randn(4, 3, 3)
>>> covar = covar_factor @ covar_factor.transpose(-1, -2)
>>> mvn1 = gpytorch.distributions.MultivariateNormal(mean, covar)
>>>
>>> mean = torch.randn(4, 3)
>>> covar_factor = torch.randn(4, 3, 3)
>>> covar = covar_factor @ covar_factor.transpose(-1, -2)
>>> mvn2 = gpytorch.distributions.MultivariateNormal(mean, covar)
>>>
>>> print(mmvn.event_shape, mmvn.batch_shape)
>>> # torch.Size([3, 2]), torch.Size([4])

classmethod from_repeated_mvn(mvn, num_tasks)[source]

Convert a single MVN into a MultitaskMultivariateNormal, where each task shares the same mean and covariance.

Example:
>>> # model is a gpytorch.models.VariationalGP
>>> # likelihood is a gpytorch.likelihoods.Likelihood
>>> mean = torch.randn(4, 3)
>>> covar_factor = torch.randn(4, 3, 3)
>>> covar = covar_factor @ covar_factor.transpose(-1, -2)
>>> mvn = gpytorch.distributions.MultivariateNormal(mean, covar)
>>> print(mvn.event_shape, mvn.batch_shape)
>>> # torch.Size([3]), torch.Size([4])
>>>

class gpytorch.distributions.Delta(v, log_density=0.0, event_dim=0, validate_args=None)