Binary cross entropy is a widely used loss function in machine learning for binary classification tasks, where the goal is to distinguish between two classes.
Binary cross entropy measures the difference between the predicted probabilities and the true labels, penalizing incorrect predictions more heavily as the confidence in the prediction increases. This loss function is particularly useful in scenarios where the classes are imbalanced, as it can help the model learn to make better predictions for the minority class.
Recent research in the field has explored various aspects of binary cross entropy and its applications. One study introduced Direct Binary Embedding (DBE), an end-to-end algorithm for learning binary representations without quantization error. Another paper proposed a method to incorporate van Rijsbergen's Fβ metric into the binary cross-entropy loss function, resulting in improved performance on imbalanced datasets.
The Xtreme Margin loss function is another novel approach that provides flexibility in the training process, allowing researchers to optimize for different performance metrics. Additionally, the One-Sided Margin (OSM) loss function has been introduced as an alternative to hinge and cross-entropy losses, demonstrating faster training speeds and better accuracies in various classification tasks.
In the context of practical applications, binary cross entropy has been used in medical image segmentation for detecting tool wear in drilling applications, with the best performing models utilizing an Intersection over Union (IoU)-based loss function. Another application is in the generation of phase-only computer-generated holograms for holographic displays, where a limited-memory BFGS optimization algorithm with cross entropy loss function has been implemented.
In summary, binary cross entropy is a crucial loss function in machine learning for binary classification tasks, with ongoing research exploring its potential and applications. Its ability to handle imbalanced datasets and adapt to various performance metrics makes it a valuable tool for developers working on classification problems.

Binary cross entropy
Binary cross entropy Further Reading
1.End-to-end Binary Representation Learning via Direct Binary Embedding http://arxiv.org/abs/1703.04960v2 Liu Liu, Alireza Rahimpour, Ali Taalimi, Hairong Qi2.Reformulating van Rijsbergen's $F_β$ metric for weighted binary cross-entropy http://arxiv.org/abs/2210.16458v1 Satesh Ramdhani3.Xtreme Margin: A Tunable Loss Function for Binary Classification Problems http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.00176v1 Rayan Wali4.Holographic Bound on Area of Compact Binary Merger Remnant http://arxiv.org/abs/2008.13425v2 Parthasarathi Majumdar, Anarya Ray5.Introducing One Sided Margin Loss for Solving Classification Problems in Deep Networks http://arxiv.org/abs/2206.01002v1 Ali Karimi, Zahra Mousavi Kouzehkanan, Reshad Hosseini, Hadi Asheri6.Unified Focal loss: Generalising Dice and cross entropy-based losses to handle class imbalanced medical image segmentation http://arxiv.org/abs/2102.04525v4 Michael Yeung, Evis Sala, Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb, Leonardo Rundo7.Evaluation of Data Augmentation and Loss Functions in Semantic Image Segmentation for Drilling Tool Wear Detection http://arxiv.org/abs/2302.05262v1 Elke Schlager, Andreas Windisch, Lukas Hanna, Thomas Klünsner, Elias Jan Hagendorfer, Tamara Teppernegg8.Entropic force in black hole binaries and its Newtonian limits http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.1764v3 Maurice H. P. M. van Putten9.Limited-memory BFGS Optimisation of Phase-Only Computer-Generated Hologram for Fraunhofer Diffraction http://arxiv.org/abs/2205.05144v1 Jinze Sha, Andrew Kadis, Fan Yang, Timothy D. Wilkinson10.Joint Binary Neural Network for Multi-label Learning with Applications to Emotion Classification http://arxiv.org/abs/1802.00891v1 Huihui He, Rui XiaBinary cross entropy Frequently Asked Questions
What is binary cross-entropy?
Binary cross-entropy is a loss function commonly used in machine learning for binary classification tasks, where the objective is to differentiate between two classes. It measures the dissimilarity between the predicted probabilities and the true labels, penalizing incorrect predictions more heavily as the confidence in the prediction increases. This loss function is particularly useful in scenarios with imbalanced classes, as it can help the model learn to make better predictions for the minority class.
What is the difference between cross-entropy and binary cross-entropy?
Cross-entropy is a more general loss function used to measure the difference between two probability distributions, while binary cross-entropy is a specific case of cross-entropy applied to binary classification problems. In binary cross-entropy, there are only two possible classes, and the goal is to predict the probability of an instance belonging to one of these classes. Cross-entropy can be used for multi-class classification problems, where there are more than two possible classes.
Can I use cross-entropy for binary classification?
Yes, you can use cross-entropy for binary classification. In fact, binary cross-entropy is a special case of cross-entropy that is specifically designed for binary classification tasks. When using cross-entropy for binary classification, it simplifies to the binary cross-entropy loss function.
When should I use binary cross-entropy?
You should use binary cross-entropy when working on binary classification tasks, where the goal is to distinguish between two classes. It is especially useful in situations where the classes are imbalanced, as it can help the model learn to make better predictions for the minority class. Binary cross-entropy is also suitable when you want to penalize incorrect predictions more heavily as the confidence in the prediction increases.
How is binary cross-entropy calculated?
Binary cross-entropy is calculated using the following formula: `Binary Cross-Entropy = - (y * log(p) + (1 - y) * log(1 - p))` where `y` is the true label (0 or 1), `p` is the predicted probability of the instance belonging to class 1, and `log` is the natural logarithm. The loss is computed for each instance and then averaged over the entire dataset to obtain the overall binary cross-entropy loss.
What are some alternatives to binary cross-entropy?
Some alternatives to binary cross-entropy include hinge loss, squared hinge loss, and logarithmic loss. Hinge loss is commonly used in support vector machines (SVMs) and is suitable for binary classification tasks. Squared hinge loss is a variation of hinge loss that penalizes incorrect predictions more heavily. Logarithmic loss, also known as logistic loss, is another option for binary classification problems, but it is less sensitive to outliers compared to binary cross-entropy.
How does binary cross-entropy handle imbalanced datasets?
Binary cross-entropy is effective in handling imbalanced datasets because it penalizes incorrect predictions more heavily as the confidence in the prediction increases. This property encourages the model to learn better representations for the minority class, as it tries to minimize the loss function. In some cases, combining binary cross-entropy with other techniques, such as oversampling, undersampling, or using weighted loss functions, can further improve the model's performance on imbalanced datasets.
What are some recent advancements in binary cross-entropy research?
Recent research in binary cross-entropy has explored various aspects and applications of the loss function. Some studies have introduced novel approaches like Direct Binary Embedding (DBE), van Rijsbergen's Fβ metric integration, Xtreme Margin loss function, and One-Sided Margin (OSM) loss function. These advancements aim to improve performance on imbalanced datasets, optimize for different performance metrics, and provide faster training speeds and better accuracies in various classification tasks.
Explore More Machine Learning Terms & Concepts