[R] alpha in Holt-Winters method

[MARK LEEDS]

you would have to take your series, y_1, ... y_t and run it over various 
values of alpha ( say zero to 1 insteps of .01 ) and see which one gives say 
the least MSE.
but that will be the optimal alpha for the window you are looking at. it 
doesn't mean it will be the optimal apha for the data you deal with
at y_t+1,..... y_t+n.

it's been a while, but , in holt winters, i think there are 3 smoothing 
constants so i would think you would want to optimize over all 3 of them ?

someone else can give the following  in more detail there is probably a way 
to use nlmin or one of those optimization functions to find the optimal 
smoothing constants but i
don't think it's worth the hassle because they are in a small enough range 
that you can do it by brute force as above.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carlo Trimarchi" <mr.spoon21 at gmail.com>
To: <r-help at stat.math.ethz.ch>
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 2:23 PM
Subject: [R] alpha in Holt-Winters method


> Hi,
> I'd like to know if the Holt-Winters function in R can modify the
> alpha paremeter in an "intelligent" way. I know it can vary from 0 to
> 1.
>
> Wich mathematical formula does it use to calculate the correct value of 
> alpha?
>
> Thanks, bye.
> Carlo
>
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