If the state set $\mathcal{S}$ and action set $\mathcal{A}$ of a Markov Decision Process are infinite does an optimal value function $v_\pi(s)$ exist?
1 Answer
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Not necessarily. Consider an environment with a single state and a countably infinite set of actions. Enumerate the actions with the bijection $f: \mathcal{A} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}$. Suppose the reward for taking a given action $a$ is $f(a)$. Then since there is no greatest natural number, there is no optimal policy, and therefore no optimal value function.
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$\begingroup$ just saw that title says "continuous" -- in which case substitute $\mathbb{R}$ for $\mathbb{N}$ in above answer $\endgroup$– shimaoCommented Mar 4, 2020 at 8:50
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$\begingroup$ Thanks, I don't think I phrased my question correctly but that still answered the question I had in mind. $\endgroup$– KaneMCommented Mar 4, 2020 at 10:30