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Machine Learning

Neural network refresher

A refresher on neural networks and deep learning concepts

Neural Network Refresher

Welcome to the Neural Network refresher chapter! Here we'll review the fundamental concepts of neural networks and deep learning.

What you'll learn

In this chapter, we'll cover:

  • Neural Network basics
  • Activation functions
  • Forward and backward propagation
  • Training neural networks
  • Common architectures

Getting Started

Neural networks are the foundation of deep learning. This chapter will refresh your knowledge of neural network concepts and prepare you for more advanced topics.

Neural Network Basics

A neural network is a computational model inspired by the way biological neural networks in the human brain process information. It consists of:

  1. Neurons (Nodes)

    • Process and transmit information
    • Apply activation functions
  2. Connections (Weights)

    • Connect neurons
    • Store learned patterns
  3. Layers

    • Input layer
    • Hidden layers
    • Output layer

Activation Functions

Common activation functions include:

  • ReLU (Rectified Linear Unit)
  • Sigmoid
  • Tanh
  • Softmax

Forward Propagation

The process of passing input through the network:

  1. Input processing
  2. Weight multiplication
  3. Bias addition
  4. Activation function application

Backward Propagation

The learning process:

  1. Error calculation
  2. Gradient computation
  3. Weight updates
  4. Bias adjustments

Training Process

Steps in training a neural network:

  1. Data preparation
  2. Network initialization
  3. Forward propagation
  4. Error calculation
  5. Backward propagation
  6. Parameter updates
  7. Iteration

Common Architectures

We'll explore these architectures:

  • Feedforward Neural Networks
  • Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
  • Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs)
  • Transformers