ABSTRACT
The term “Neural networks” is a very evocative one. It suggests machines that are something like brains and is potentially laden with the science fiction connotations of the Frankenstein mythos. One of the main tasks of this book is to demystify neural networks and show how, while they indeed have something to do with brains, their study also makes contact with other branches of science, engineering and mathematics. The aim is to do this in as non-technical a way as possible, although some mathematical notation is essential for specifying certain rules, procedures and structures quantitatively. Nevertheless, all symbols and expressions will be explained as they arise so that, hopefully, these should not get in the way of the essentials: that is, concepts and ideas that may be described in words.
