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A practical dictionary of 512 AI, machine learning, mathematics, and programming terms from HerbDev’s AI Vocabulary app. Start with a definition, explore an example, then follow the concepts behind it.

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Hessian

Mathematics · Level 4 of 5

Hessian

A matrix of second partial derivatives of a scalar-valued function.

It describes local curvature when the necessary derivatives exist.

Example

An optimizer estimates how a loss surface bends around a point.

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Audio transcript

Hessian. A matrix of second partial derivatives of a scalar-valued function. It describes local curvature when the necessary derivatives exist. For example: An optimizer estimates how a loss surface bends around a point.

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