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Gradient descent, how AI learns by rolling downhill
Play Gradient Descent (AI)
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How to play Gradient Descent (AI)
- Read the first step: picture the error as a valley and the learning as a ball rolling down.
- Move the sliders and switches to change the diagram and watch what happens. The readout under the picture shows the numbers.
- Answer each question. If you are wrong you get a hint and can try again, with no penalty.
- Some steps ask you to make something happen, such as hitting a target value. Experiment until it works.
- Finish the lesson to earn XP and see how many questions you got right first time.
Tips and strategy
- Do not rush. The controls are there to be played with, so try extreme values as well as sensible ones.
- Say what you notice out loud or write it down before you press Continue.
- Use the hint when you are stuck, and then try to explain the answer in your own words.
- Watch the dotted path. It shows every step the ball takes.
Keep playing
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FAQ
Gradient Descent (AI): questions
What is gradient descent?
A method for finding a low point of a function by repeatedly stepping downhill, in the direction that reduces the error fastest.
What is the learning rate?
The size of each step. Too small is slow, and too large can overshoot the bottom and bounce around.
Why does the step shrink near the bottom?
The step is proportional to the slope, and the slope flattens near the bottom, so the steps get smaller.
What age is this lesson for?
It suits ages 14 and up, especially after meeting slope.
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