Utility Node

A utility node represents an addendum of the utility function in an influence diagram. Thus, the utility function is the sum of all the utility nodes in the influence diagram.

Each utility function has assigned a utility table which specifies the utility of each configuration of the parents of the utility node (in an influence diagram, a link from a decision node or a discrete chance node represents the decision node/chance node to contribute directly to the utility function).

A utility node can be added to the current network (which will then be an influence diagram) by activating the utility tool and clicking somewhere in the network pane.


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