Since the initial points are chosen at random, is it possible that 2 centroids are chosen that are close together and as such belong to the same cluster? If so, then does the algorithm "absorb" these 2 centroids together?
What are the ways to prevent such cases?
mpotoole
There should be no scenario in which 2 centroid belong to the same cluster.
Each object can only ever belong to one cluster/centroid. If an object is somehow equi-distant to two centroids, then break the tie by choosing one of these centroids at random.
Note that there might be scenarios where a centroid represents an empty cluster (no objects in it). In this case, one might simply choose to remove this centroid.
Since the initial points are chosen at random, is it possible that 2 centroids are chosen that are close together and as such belong to the same cluster? If so, then does the algorithm "absorb" these 2 centroids together?
What are the ways to prevent such cases?
There should be no scenario in which 2 centroid belong to the same cluster.
Each object can only ever belong to one cluster/centroid. If an object is somehow equi-distant to two centroids, then break the tie by choosing one of these centroids at random.
Note that there might be scenarios where a centroid represents an empty cluster (no objects in it). In this case, one might simply choose to remove this centroid.