Neural network

Mehmet Akif Cifci
17 min readFeb 5, 2023

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A neural network is a machine-learning model inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. It is used to recognize patterns and make predictions based on input data.

IBM

At its core, a neural network comprises individual processing nodes, called neurons, that are connected. Each neuron receives input from other neurons and processes this information to produce an output passed on to other neurons in the network. This flow of communication between neurons allows the neural network to perform complex computations and make predictions based on input data.

In a typical neural network, input data is fed into the first layer of neurons, which processes the information and passes it on to the next layer, and so on, until the final layer produces an output. The network learns from input-output pairs, using an optimization algorithm to adjust the strengths of the connections between neurons to minimize the difference between the network’s predictions and the actual outputs.

One of the critical advantages of neural networks is their ability to handle complex and non-linear relationships between inputs and outputs. This is accomplished by using hidden neuron layers, allowing the network to extract and process high-level abstract features from the input data.

There are many different types of neural networks, each with its strengths and weaknesses. For example, feedforward neural networks are good at processing sequential data. They are often used for image recognition, while recurrent neural networks are designed to handle sequential data with feedback loops and are often used for speech recognition or natural language processing.

When building a neural network, it is essential to choose the exemplary architecture, including the number and size of hidden layers and the number of neurons in each layer. This can have a significant impact on the performance of the network. Additionally, the choice of optimization algorithm and the amount of training data can affect the network's performance.

One of the challenges of neural networks is avoiding overfitting, which occurs when the network becomes too complex and starts to memorize the training data rather than generalize to new examples. To avoid overfitting, regularization, and early stopping techniques can be used.

In conclusion, neural networks are a powerful tool for machine learning and can be used for various applications, from image and speech recognition to natural language processing. While they can be complex and challenging to work with, the ability to handle complex relationships between inputs and outputs makes them a valuable tool for making predictions based on data.

A neural network consists of multiple interconnected nodes or neurons that work together to process and analyze data. The following are some of the key components of a neural network:

1. Weights: Weights are the values assigned to the connections between neurons in a neural network. They represent the strength or importance of each connection and determine how much influence it will have on the output. In other words, weights control the flow of information between neurons.

2. Bias: A bias is a value added to a neuron's input to adjust the output. It helps to shift the activation function to the left or right, allowing for better control of the network’s behavior. Bias is used to accounting for any offset in the input data and to improve the performance of the network.

3. Activation Function: An activation function is a mathematical function that transforms a neuron's input into its output. It introduces non-linearity into the network, allowing it to model complex relationships between inputs and outputs. Standard activation functions include sigmoid, ReLU, and tanh.

4. Input Layer: The input layer is the first layer in a neural network and receives the raw input data. It is responsible for passing the input data to the next layer of neurons.

5. Hidden Layer: Hidden layers are intermediate layers that process the input data and provide output to the next layer. The number of hidden layers and the number of neurons in each layer determine the complexity of the network.

6. Output Layer: The output layer is the final layer in a neural network and produces the predicted output. The output can be a constant value or a class label, depending on the task.

7. Synapses: A synapse is a connection between two neurons in a neural network. The strength of the connection is determined by the weight assigned to the synapse. Synapses allow information to flow between neurons, allowing the network to process and analyze the data.

1. What is weight?

Mehmet Akif CIFCI

In the context of machine learning, particularly in the field of artificial neural networks, a weight is a parameter associated with each connection between neurons in a network. It is a numerical value that represents the strength or influence of a particular connection on the output of the network. Think of a weight as a multiplier that affects the contribution of the input signal to the output signal. In other words, it determines the influence a particular input has on the network's output. The magnitude of the weight determines the strength of the connection, with larger weights indicating stronger connections and smaller weights indicating weaker connections. For example, in a simple feedforward neural network with two input neurons, two hidden neurons, and one output neuron, there may be connections between the input neurons and the hidden neurons and connections between the hidden neurons and the output neuron. Each of these connections has an associated weight that determines the strength of the connection.

In the training process of a neural network, the goal is to find the optimal values of these weights that will allow the network to predict the output for a given input correctly. This is done through an optimization algorithm that iteratively updates the weights based on the error between the predicted output and the true output. The optimization algorithm adjusts the weights to minimize errors, resulting in improved accuracy. The weights of a neural network play a crucial role in determining its overall performance and accuracy. Larger weights can result in larger input signals being amplified, while smaller ones can result in weaker signals being attenuated. In this way, weights help to determine the strengths of the connections between neurons and the overall behavior of the network. Additionally, the weights of a neural network can also be considered a representation of the learned knowledge of the network. For example, in a classification problem, the weights of a neural network trained on a large dataset of images will represent the learned knowledge of what features are important in classifying different objects.

In summary, weights are a key component of artificial neural networks, and they play a crucial role in determining the behavior and performance of the network. They are the parameters learned during the training process and represent the learned knowledge of the network.

2. What is bias?

bias by Mhemt Akif CIFCI

Bias is a term commonly used in artificial neural networks (ANNs) to describe the influence that individual neurons have on the output of the network. In the context of neural networks, bias refers to an adjustable parameter that is added to the weighted sum of inputs received by a neuron. It is used to shift the activation function of the neuron to the right or left, effectively increasing or decreasing the amount of output produced. The bias allows a neural network to learn complex relationships between inputs and outputs, even in cases where the relationship is non-linear or not easily represented by a straight line. The bias term is typically represented as a scalar value, which is added to the weighted sum of inputs for a particular neuron. The weighted sum of inputs for a neuron is computed as the dot product of the input vector and the weight vector associated with that neuron. The bias is then added to this sum before the activation function is applied. The activation function is used to produce the final output of the neuron.

The purpose of the bias term is to provide an additional degree of freedom to the network, allowing it to learn more complex relationships between inputs and outputs. Without a bias term, a neural network would only be able to represent linear relationships between inputs and outputs. This can limit the ability of the network to learn complex, non-linear relationships. By including a bias term, the network is able to adjust the activation function of the neuron in a way that allows it to capture more complex relationships between inputs and outputs. In practice, the bias term is typically initialized to a small, randomly generated value and then adjusted during the training process. The training process involves using a large set of input-output pairs to optimize the weights and biases of the network. During training, the weights and biases of the network are updated based on the error produced by the network for each input-output pair. This allows the network to learn the relationship between inputs and outputs and to improve its accuracy over time.

One of the key benefits of including a bias term in a neural network is that it allows the network to learn more complex relationships between inputs and outputs. This can result in better predictions and improved accuracy compared to networks that do not include a bias term. Additionally, the bias term can be used to improve the stability of the network and prevent overfitting. Overfitting occurs when a network becomes too complex and begins to memorize the training data rather than generalizing it to new, unseen data. The bias term can prevent overfitting by providing an additional degree of freedom to the network, which helps it generalize better to new data.

In conclusion, the bias term is an important component of artificial neural networks that allows the network to learn more complex relationships between inputs and outputs. By providing an additional degree of freedom to the network, the bias term can improve the accuracy of the network, prevent overfitting, and improve its stability. Understanding the role of the bias term in neural networks is important for developing effective models and achieving accurate results in machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.

3. What is Activation Function?

Activation Function by Mhemt Akif CIFCI

Activation functions play a crucial role in the processing of information in neural networks. They are mathematical operations applied to a neural network's inputs to produce its outputs. The activation function determines whether a neuron should be “activated” or not based on its input. In other words, it helps to determine the output of a neuron, given the inputs it receives.

There are many types of activation functions, each with its properties and applications. The most commonly used activation functions are the sigmoid function, the hyperbolic tangent function (tanh), the rectified linear unit (ReLU) function, and the leaky ReLU function.

The sigmoid function is an S-shaped curve that maps any input to the range of 0 to 1. This makes it particularly useful for binary classification problems, where the output of a neural network is either 0 or 1. The sigmoid function is defined as:

f(x) = 1 / (1 + e^-x)

where x is the input and e is the mathematical constant (approx. 2.71828).

The tanh function is similar to the sigmoid function but maps inputs to the range of -1 to 1. This makes it a popular choice for binary classification problems and for modeling problems with outputs that can take on multiple values. The tanh function is defined as:

f(x) = tanh(x) = 2 / (1 + e^-2x) — 1

The ReLU function is a simple piecewise linear function that outputs 0 for inputs less than 0 and outputs the input itself for inputs greater than or equal to 0. The ReLU function is defined as:

f(x) = max(0, x)

The leaky ReLU function is a variation of the ReLU function that outputs a small negative value for inputs less than 0 instead of 0. This helps to alleviate the problem of “dead neurons,” which occur when the output of a ReLU neuron is always 0, and its weights are never updated during training. The leaky ReLU function is defined as:

f(x) = max(αx, x)

where α is a small positive constant.

Each activation function has its advantages and disadvantages. The sigmoid function is useful for binary classification problems, but it can lead to slow convergence during training due to its saturating properties. The tanh function is less widely used than the sigmoid function. The ReLU function is fast to compute and leads to faster convergence during training, but it can suffer from the problem of “dead neurons.” The leaky ReLU function is a good compromise between the ReLU and the sigmoid function, but it introduces an additional hyperparameter (α) that must be tuned.

In summary, activation functions play a crucial role in the functioning of neural networks. They help to determine the output of a neuron, given its inputs, and each activation function has its advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the correct activation function depends on the specific problem being solved and the desired properties of the solution.

  1. Sigmoid: The sigmoid activation function maps any input to the range of 0 and 1. It is defined as 1/(1 + e^-x), where x is the input. The sigmoid function is often used in binary classification problems, producing output values that can be interpreted as probabilities.

def sigmoid(x):
return 1 / (1 + np.exp(-x))

2. Hyperbolic Tangent (tanh): The tanh activation function is similar to the sigmoid function but maps input values to the range of -1 to 1. It is defined as (e^x — e^-x)/(e^x + e^-x). The tanh function is often used in feedforward networks for binary or multiclass classification problems.

def tanh(x):
return np.tanh(x)

3. Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU): The ReLU activation function maps all negative input values to 0 and leaves positive input values unchanged. It is defined as max(0, x). The ReLU activation function is often used in convolutional neural networks and deep networks due to its computationally efficient implementation and the ability to mitigate the vanishing gradient problem.

def relu(x):
return np.maximum(0, x)

4. Leaky ReLU: The leaky ReLU activation function is an extension of the ReLU function that allows a small, non-zero gradient for negative input values. It is defined as max(αx, x), where α is a small positive constant.

def leaky_relu(x, alpha=0.01):
return np.maximum(alpha * x, x)

5. Exponential Linear Unit (ELU): The ELU activation function is similar to the leaky ReLU function, but it maps negative input values to a negative value that approaches 0 as x approaches negative infinity. It is defined as x if x > 0, and α(e^x — 1) if x <= 0.

def softmax(x):
e_x = np.exp(x — np.max(x))
return e_x / e_x.sum()

6. Softmax: The softmax activation function is used to normalize the output of a neural network to a probability distribution. It is often used in the output layer of a neural network for multiclass classification problems. It is defined as e^x_i/sum(e^x_j), where x_i is the input value for a given class, and x_j are the input values for all classes.

def elu(x, alpha=1):
if x >= 0:
return x
else:
return alpha * (np.exp(x) — 1)

4. What is the Input layer?

Input layer by Mhemt Akif CIFCI

The input layer is the first layer in a neural network and is responsible for receiving and processing the input data. It acts as an interface between the input data and the rest of the network. The input layer is where the network learns and makes predictions based on the input data.

A neural network typically takes a set of numerical inputs and passes them through the input layer to the next layer of the network. The input layer typically does not have any activation function, and the input layer nodes output the input data.

For example, let’s consider a neural network designed to predict a house's price based on the number of rooms, square footage, and location. In this case, the input layer would have three nodes corresponding to the number of rooms, square footage, and location. The input data is passed to the input layer, which acts as the starting point for the network’s computations.

The number of features in the input data determines the size of the input layer. In other words, the number of nodes in the input layer equals the number of features in the input data. It is essential to ensure that the size of the input layer is correctly specified so that the network can process the input data correctly.

In summary, the input layer is a crucial component of a neural network as it is responsible for processing the input data and passing it on to the next layer in the network. By correctly specifying the size of the input layer, the network can make accurate predictions based on the input data.

The code example in python

import numpy as np

input_data = np.array([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9], [10, 11, 12]])

# Shape of input matrix (4, 3) represents 4 examples and 3 features
print(“Input data shape:”, input_data.shape)

5. What is the Hidden layer?

by Lasse Hansen

A hidden layer in a neural network refers to neurons sandwiched between the input layer and the output layer. It is called a hidden layer because its outputs are not directly observable in the network’s inputs or outputs. The primary purpose of the hidden layer is to transform the inputs into a representation that is easier for the output layer to model.

For example, consider a simple neural network designed to recognize handwritten digits. The input layer may consist of a 28x28 pixel grayscale image, and the output layer may consist of 10 neurons, each corresponding to one of the 10 digits (0–9). The hidden layer may consist of a set of neurons trained to extract features from the input image indicative of the digit being represented. These features might include the presence or absence of lines or curves, the orientation of these lines or curves, etc. The hidden layer takes the raw pixel data from the input layer. It applies a series of mathematical transformations to produce a new representation easier for the output layer to model.

The hidden layer is one of the most critical components of a neural network, as it allows the network to learn complex relationships between inputs and outputs that would be difficult or impossible to model using simple linear mapping. The number of neurons in the hidden layer and the type of activation function used by each neuron is hyperparameters that must be carefully tuned to achieve good performance.

In conclusion, the hidden layer is an essential part of a neural network that allows the network to learn complex relationships between inputs and outputs and make accurate predictions. The hidden layer transforms the inputs into a representation easier for the output layer to model. The number of neurons and type of activation function used is important hyperparameters that must be carefully tuned to achieve good performance.

The code example for hidden layer in Python using the Keras library

from keras.models import Sequential
from keras.layers import Dense

# Initialize the model
model = Sequential()

# Add a hidden layer with 128 neurons and a ReLU activation function
model.add(Dense(128, activation=’relu’, input_shape=(input_shape,)))

# Compile the model
model.compile(optimizer=’adam’, loss=’categorical_crossentropy’, metrics=[‘accuracy’])

6. What is the Output layer?

by Johan Edvinsson

The output layer is the final layer of a neural network and is responsible for producing the output values based on the inputs and the computations performed by the previous layers. It typically has a number of neurons equal to the number of classes in the classification problem or the number of continuous values in a regression problem. The output layer usually uses an activation function, such as softmax or a linear function, to produce the final values.

For example, consider a binary classification problem that aims to predict whether an image contains a cat. In this case, the output layer would have two neurons, one for each class. The activation function used in this case would be the sigmoid function, which maps any real-valued number to a value between 0 and 1. The output of the sigmoid function can be interpreted as a probability, with a value of 0 indicating that the image does not contain a cat and a value of 1 indicating that the image contains a cat.

In another example, consider a neural network that is used to predict the prices of houses based on their features such as size, number of rooms, location, etc. In this case, the output layer would have only one neuron, as we want to predict a single continuous value, the price of the house. The activation function used in this case would be a linear function, which returns the weighted sum of the inputs passed to it.

In conclusion, the output layer is a crucial component of a neural network, and its design depends on the specific problem that the network is designed to solve.

The code for Python for a neural network with an output layer

import numpy as np

class OutputLayer:
def __init__(self, input_shape, num_classes):
self.weights = np.random.randn(input_shape, num_classes)
self.biases = np.zeros((1, num_classes))

def forward(self, input_data):
# Calculate dot product of input and weights
dot_product = np.dot(input_data, self.weights)

# Add biases
output = dot_product + self.biases

return output

# Initialize output layer with input shape (3, ) and 3 classes
output_layer = OutputLayer(3, 3)

# Example input data
input_data = np.array([[1, 2, 3]])

# Predict class probabilities
class_probs = output_layer.forward(input_data)

print(class_probs)

7. What is the Synapse?

A synapse in a neural network is the connection between two neurons, typically between a presynaptic neuron and a postsynaptic neuron. The purpose of the synapse is to transmit signals between neurons to perform computation.

In a neural network, each neuron receives inputs from other neurons through its dendrites and transmits output signals to other neurons through its axon. The axon of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron are connected at the synapse.

At the synapse, the electrical signal generated by the presynaptic neuron is translated into a chemical signal, then transmitted across the synapse to the postsynaptic neuron. The chemical signal triggers an electrical signal in the postsynaptic neuron, which causes it to generate its electrical signal.

The weight of the synapse determines the strength of the connection between two neurons. The weight is a scalar value that determines the influence of the presynaptic neuron over the postsynaptic neuron. Weights can be positive or negative and are learned by the neural network during training.

In a typical neural network, each synapse is associated with an updated weight during training. The purpose of the weight is to determine the strength of the connection between two neurons. For example, a weight of 0 means that the connection has no influence, while a weight of 1 means that the connection has full influence.

The strength of the connection between neurons can be adjusted during training to improve the performance of the network. For example, if a weight is too small, the connection may not have enough influence to produce an accurate result. On the other hand, if a weight is too large, the connection may be over-representing the contribution of a single neuron, causing the network to produce an incorrect result.

Overall, the synapses in a neural network play a critical role in transmitting information from one neuron to another and determining the strength of the connections between neurons. The strength of the connections is learned during training, allowing the network to adapt to the task it is performing and improve its performance over time.

The code for synapses in a neural network using Python

class Sinaps:
def __init__(self, girdi_nöronu, çıktı_nöronu):
self.girdi_nöronu = girdi_nöronu
self.çıktı_nöronu = çıktı_nöronu
self.ağırlık = np.random.randn()

def ileri_geçiş(self, girdi_verisi):
self.çıktı_nöronu.girdi_verisi += self.ağırlık * girdi_verisi

class Nöron:
def __init__(self, aktivasyon_fonksiyonu):
self.girdi_verisi = 0
self.aktivasyon_fonksiyonu = aktivasyon_fonksiyonu

def aktive_et(self):
self.çıktı_verisi = self.aktivasyon_fonksiyonu(self.girdi_verisi)

def sigmoit(x):
return 1 / (1 + np.exp(-x))

girdi_nöronu = Nöron(sigmoit)
gizli_nöron = Nöron(sigmoit)
çıktı_nöronu = Nöron(sigmoit)

girdiden_gizliye_sinaps = Sinaps(girdi_nöronu, gizli_nöron)
gizliden_çıktıya_sinaps = Sinaps(gizli_nöron, çıktı_nöronu)

girdi_verisi = 0.5
girdi_nöronu.girdi_verisi = girdi_verisi
girdiden_gizliye_sinaps.ileri_geçiş(girdi_nöronu.çıktı_verisi)
gizli_nöron.aktive_et()
gizliden_çıktıya_sinaps.ileri_geçiş(gizli_nöron.çıktı_verisi)
çıktı_nöronu.aktive_et()

print(“Çıktı: “, çıktı_nöronu.çıktı_verisi)

Mehmet Akif CIFCI

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Mehmet Akif Cifci
Mehmet Akif Cifci

Written by Mehmet Akif Cifci

Mehmet Akif Cifci holds the position of associate professor in the field of computer science in Austria.

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