The Chain Rule

The chain rule is a crucial technique in calculus, particularly when dealing with composite functions. This chapter will guide you through understanding and applying the chain rule, an essential tool for differentiating nested functions. By mastering this concept, you'll be able to tackle complex differentiation problems that frequently arise in machine learning contexts.

As you progress, you'll learn how to identify when the chain rule is applicable and how to apply it to both simple and more intricate functions. Through practical examples, you'll see how this rule streamlines the process of finding derivatives, providing clarity and efficiency in your calculations. Additionally, the chapter will connect these concepts to machine learning applications, demonstrating how the chain rule is used in optimizing algorithms and tuning hyperparameters.

By the end of this chapter, you will have acquired the skills to confidently apply the chain rule, enhancing your calculus toolkit and preparing you for more advanced topics in machine learning.