ABSTRACT
We have already seen that symbolic learning by induction is a search process, where the search for the correct rule, relationship, or statement is steered by the examples that are encountered. Numerical learning systems can be viewed in the same light. An initial model is set up, and its parameters are progressively re¡ned in the light of experience. The goal is invariably to determine the maximum or minimum value of some function of one or more variables. This is the process of optimization.
