gradient

(1.1 hours to learn)

Summary

The gradient of a function gives the direction of maximum increase. Its entries are given by the partial derivatives of the function. It is widely used in optimization.

Context

This concept has the prerequisites:

Core resources (read/watch one of the following)

-Free-

MIT Open Courseware: Multivariable Caclulus (2010)

-Paid-

Supplemental resources (the following are optional, but you may find them useful)

-Free-

Khan Academy: Calculus

See also

  • Gradient ascent , or 'hill climbing', is a simple and widely used optimization algorithm.