Data Science Data Science Projects Data Analysis Data Visualization Machine Learning ML Projects

Maths for Machine Learning

Last Updated : 24 Dec, 2024

Mathematics is the foundation of machine learning. Math concepts plays a

crucial role in understanding how models learn from data and optimizing their
performance.

Before diving into machine learning algorithms, it’s important to familiarize

yourself with foundational topics, like Statistics, Probability Distributions,
Linear Algebra, Matrix Operations, Regression, Geometry, Dimensionality
Reduction, and Vector Calculus.

Linear Algebra and Matrix Operations

Linear algebra is important for many machine learning algorithms. Concepts
like vectors, matrices, and matrix operations are essential for understanding
data representations, transformations, and model computations. From
calculating gradients to managing multidimensional datasets, linear algebra
enables efficient implementation of algorithms.

Vectors
Matrices
Matrix Operations

Matrix Addition
Matrix Multiplication
Matrix Inversion
Matrix Transposition

Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)
Gram-Schmidt Process
LU Decomposition
QR Decomposition
Non- Negative Matrix Factorization
Diagonalization
Vector Spaces and Subspaces
Linear Mappings
Least Squares and Curve Fitting
Regression Analysis
Regression analysis is a statistical method for understanding relationships
between variables. It is crucial for predictive modeling and interpreting
patterns in data. Techniques like linear regression provide the foundation for
supervised learning, where the goal is to predict continuous outcomes.

Linear Regression
Bayesian Linear Regression
Quantile Linear Regression
Normal Equation in Linear Regression
Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE)

Statistics
Statistics helps interpret and summarize data, by providing the tools for
probability estimations, hypothesis testing, and descriptive analytics. Machine
learning heavily uses statistical methods for data preprocessing, model
evaluation, and performance validation.

Mean, Standard Deviation, and Variance

Sample Error and True Error
Bias Vs Variance and Its Trade-Off
Confidence Intervals
Correlation and Covariance
Correlation Coefficient
Covariance Matrix
Normal Probability Plot
Q-Q Plot
Residuals Leverage Plot
Hypothesis Testing

Null and Alternative Hypothesis

Type 1 and Type 2 Errors
p-value interaction
Parametric Hypothesis Testing

T-test
Paired Samples t-test
ANOVA Test

Non-Parametric Hypothesis Testing

Mann-Whitney U test
Wilcoxon signed-rank test
 Kruskal-Wallis test
Friedman test

Geometry
Geometrical concepts are used in visualizing data distributions and
understanding the spatial structure of feature spaces. Geometry plays a
important role in clustering, classification, and dimensionality reduction
techniques.

Vector Norms
Inner Product
Outer Product
Cross Product
Euclidean Distance
Manhattan Distance
Minkowski Distance
Cosine Similarity
Jaccard Similarity
Pearson Correlation Coefficient
Kendall Rank Correlation Measure
Orthogonality and Projections
Geometric Algorithms

Calculus
In Calculus, differentiation and integration is critical for optimization tasks in
machine learning. It is used to compute gradients and adjust model
parameters during training processes like gradient descent.

Differentiation
Implicit Differentiation
Inverse Trigonometric Functions Differentiation
Logarithmic Differentiation
Partial Differentiation
Advanced Differentiation
Implementation of Gradients using Python
Optimization Techniques using Gradient Descent
Higher-Order Derivatives
Multivariate Taylor Series
Uni-variate Optimization
Multivariate Optimization
Vector Calculus
Vector calculus extends calculus to multivariable systems. It is useful in
understanding how changes in multi-dimensional spaces affect outcomes. It
is the fundamental for deep learning.

Gradient and Curl

Line Integrals
Laplacian Operator

Probability and Distributions

Probability theory let us deal with uncertainty in data and predictions.
Understanding probability distributions is essential for building probabilistic
models and algorithms like Bayesian networks or Markov chains.

Probability
Chance and Probability
Addition Rule for Probability
Law of total probability
Bayes’ Theorem
Conditional Probability
Marginal Probability
Discrete Probability Distributions

Discrete Uniform Distribution

Bernoulli Distribution
Binomial Distribution
Poisson Distribution

Continuous Probability Distributions

Continuous Uniform Distribution

Exponential Distribution
Normal Distribution
Beta Distribution
Gamma Distribution

Sampling Distributions

Chi-Square Distribution
F – Distribution
t – Distribution

Central Limit Theorem

Dimensionality Reduction
Dimensionality reduction techniques make large datasets simpler by keeping
only the most important information. Methods like Principal Component
Analysis (PCA) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) use math concepts
from linear algebra (vectors and matrices etc) to achieve this.

Introduction to Dimensionality Reduction

Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA)
Generalized Discriminant Analysis (GDA)
t-SNE Algorithm

Some Related Articles-

Introduction to Machine Learning

Machine learning Tutorial
Top 50 Machine Learning Interview Questions (2023)

Why Learn Mathematics for Machine Learning?

Math provides the theoretical foundation for understanding how machine
learning algorithms work.
Concepts like calculus and linear algebra enable fine-tuning of models for
better performance.
Knowing the math helps troubleshoot issues in models and algorithms.
Topics like deep learning, NLP, and reinforcement learning require strong
mathematical foundations.

How Much Math is Required for Machine Learning?

The amount of math required for machine learning depends on your goals.
Let’s see the breakdown based on different level.:

Basic Understanding (Entry-Level)

 Linear Algebra: Basics of vectors, matrices, and matrix operations.
Statistics: Descriptive statistics, mean, median, variance, and standard
deviation.
Probability: Basics of probability theory and common distributions (e.g.,
normal distribution).
Calculus: High-level understanding of derivatives for gradient-based
optimization.

Intermediate Understanding (Practical Implementation)

Linear Algebra: Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and singular value

decomposition (SVD).
Probability and Statistics: Bayes’ theorem, hypothesis testing, and
confidence intervals.
Calculus: Partial derivatives and chain rule for backpropagation in neural
networks.
Optimization: Understanding gradient descent and its variations (e.g.,
stochastic gradient descent).

Advanced Understanding (Research and Custom Algorithms)

Vector Calculus: Jacobians, Hessians, and multivariable functions for

advanced optimization.
Probability Distributions: Advanced distributions (e.g., Poisson,
exponential) and Markov models.
Linear Algebra: Deep understanding of transformations, tensor operations,
and matrix decompositions.
Statistics: Advanced concepts like statistical learning theory and Bayesian
inference.
Calculus: Deeper integration into neural networks and understanding
convergence proofs.

For practical applications and using pre-built libraries, basic to intermediate

math is sufficient. However, for creating custom algorithms or advancing
research, a deeper understanding of math is necessary.

FAQs on Machine Learning Mathematics

Is machine learning math hard?

 Factors that make machine learning difficult are the in-depth knowledge
of many aspects of mathematics and computer science. However, with
the right resources and support, it is possible to learn and become
proficient in machine learning.

What is the minimum math for machine learning?

To excel in machine learning, it is essential to have a strong

understanding of certain mathematical concepts. These include
Statistics, Probability Distribution, Linear Algebra and Matrix operations,
Regression, Geometry, Dimensionality Reduction, and Vector Calculus.

What is the salary of machine learning fresher in India?

The salary of a machine learning fresher in India varies depending on the

company, location, and skills. On average, a fresher can expect to earn
around 4-6 lakhs per annum.

How is linear algebra used in machine learning?

Linear algebra used in machine learning for data manipulation,

transformation, and modeling. It provides a way to represent and solve
complex problems through vectors, matrices, and linear equations.

What statistical techniques are commonly used in machine learning?

Imputation and outlier detection are the two statistical methods we use
for data cleaning in a machine learning projects.
 Comment More info Next Article
Top Machine Learning Dataset:
Advertise with us
Find Open Datasets

Similar Reads

Machine Learning Tutorial

Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that enables computers to learn from data and
make predictions without being explicitly programmed. If you're new to this field, this tutorial will provide a…

8 min read

Prerequisites for Machine Learning

Python for Machine Learning

Welcome to "Python for Machine Learning," comprehensive guide to mastering one of the most powerful
tools in the data science toolkit. This book is designed to take you on a journey from the basics of Python…

5 min read

SQL for Machine Learning

Integrating SQL with machine learning can provide a powerful framework for managing and analyzing data,
especially in scenarios where large datasets are involved. By combining the structured querying capabilitie…

6 min read

Getting Started with Machine Learning

Advantages and Disadvantages of Machine Learning

Machine learning is a method of data analysis that automates analytical model building. It is a branch of
artificial intelligence based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify patterns and make…

8 min read

Why ML is Important ?
Machine learning (ML) has become a cornerstone of modern technology, revolutionizing industries and
reshaping the way we interact with the world. As a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), ML enables systems…

4 min read

Real- Life Examples of Machine Learning

Machine learning plays an important role in real life, as it provides us with countless possibilities and
solutions to problems. It is used in various fields, such as health care, financial services, regulation, and…

13 min read
What is the Role of Machine Learning in Data Science
In today's world, the collaboration between machine learning and data science plays an important role in
maximizing the potential of large datasets. Despite the complexity, these concepts are integral in unravelin…

9 min read

Top Machine Learning Careers/Jobs

Machine Learning (ML) is one of the fastest-growing fields in technology, driving innovations across
healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and more. As companies increasingly adopt AI-based solutions, the…

10 min read

Difference Between Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are two closely related but distinct fields within the broader field
of computer science. Machine learning is a part of AI that helps machines learn from data and get better…

3 min read

Machine Learning Foundations

Statistics For Machine Learning

Machine Learning Statistics: In the field of machine learning (ML), statistics plays a pivotal role in extracting
meaningful insights from data to make informed decisions. Statistics provides the foundation upon which…

8 min read

Maths for Machine Learning

Mathematics is the foundation of machine learning. Math concepts plays a crucial role in understanding how
models learn from data and optimizing their performance. Before diving into machine learning algorithms,…

5 min read

Top Machine Learning Dataset: Find Open Datasets

In the realm of machine learning, data is the fuel that powers innovation. The quality and quantity of data
directly influence the performance and capabilities of machine learning models. Open datasets, in particula…

8 min read

Packages For Machine Learning

7 Best R Packages for Machine Learning

Machine Learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on the development of computer software
or programs that access data to learn themselves and make predictions i.e. without being explicitly…

13 min read

Best Python libraries for Machine Learning

Machine learning has become an important component in various fields, enabling organizations to analyze
data, make predictions, and automate processes. Python is known for its simplicity and versatility as it offe…

9 min read

Data Preprocessing

ML | Introduction to Data in Machine Learning

Data refers to the set of observations or measurements to train a machine learning models. The
performance of such models is heavily influenced by both the quality and quantity of data available for…

6 min read

ML | Understanding Data Processing

Data Processing is the task of converting data from a given form to a much more usable and desired form
i.e. making it more meaningful and informative. Using Machine Learning algorithms, mathematical modelin…

6 min read

ML | Overview of Data Cleaning

Data cleaning is a important step in the machine learning (ML) pipeline as it involves identifying and
removing any missing duplicate or irrelevant data. The goal of data cleaning is to ensure that the data is…

14 min read

Creating Machine Learning Model

Machine Learning Models

Machine Learning models are very powerful resources that automate multiple tasks and make them more
accurate and efficient. ML handles new data and scales the growing demand for technology with valuable…

14 min read

Flowchart for basic Machine Learning models

Machine learning tasks have been divided into three categories, depending upon the feedback available:
Supervised Learning: These are human builds models based on input and output.Unsupervised Learning:…

2 min read

Creating a simple machine learning model

Create a Linear Regression Model in Python using a randomly created data set. Linear Regression Model
Linear regression geeks for geeks Generating the Training Set # python library to generate random numbers…

2 min read

Machine Learning Model Evaluation

Machine Learning Model does not require hard-coded algorithms. We feed a large amount of data to the
model and the model tries to figure out the features on its own to make future predictions. So we must also…

11 min read
Steps to Build a Machine Learning Model
Machine learning models offer a powerful mechanism to extract meaningful patterns, trends, and insights
from this vast pool of data, giving us the power to make better-informed decisions and appropriate actions.…

9 min read

Machine Learning Deployment

Machine learning deployment

Deploying machine learning (ML) models into production environments is crucial for making their predictive
capabilities accessible to users or other systems. This guide provides an in-depth look at the essential step…

6 min read

Deploy your Machine Learning web app (Streamlit) on Heroku

In this article, We will go through some simple and easy steps to deploy Machine Learning web app, built
using Streamlit on Heroku cloud. This article is easy to follow as this approach does not require you to have…
( )
5 min read

Deploy a Machine Learning Model using Streamlit Library

Machine Learning: A computer is able to learn from experience without being explicitly programmed.
Machine Learning is one of the top fields to enter currently and top companies all over the world are using i…

5 min read

Deploy Machine Learning Model using Flask

Machine learning is a process that is widely used for prediction. N number of algorithms are available in
various libraries which can be used for prediction. In this article, we are going to build a prediction model o…

11 min read

Python - Create UIs for prototyping Machine Learning model with Gradio
Gradio is an open-source python library which allows you to quickly create easy to use, customizable UI
components for your ML model, any API, or any arbitrary function in just a few lines of code. You can…

4 min read

How to Prepare Data Before Deploying a Machine Learning Model?

Before deploying a machine learning model, it is important to prepare the data to ensure that it is in the
correct format and that any errors or inconsistencies have been cleaned. Here are some steps to prepare…

12 min read

Deploying ML Models as API using FastAPI

Deployment usually the last step in any Data Science Project Pipeline, to be able to integrate your ML/DL
model to a web application is quite an important task. There are many popular frameworks that can be use…

6 min read
Advance Topics in Machine Learning

Introduction to Deep Learning

In the fast-evolving era of artificial intelligence, Deep Learning stands as a cornerstone technology,
revolutionizing how machines understand, learn, and interact with complex data. At its essence, Deep…

11 min read

What is Transfer Learning?

As humans, we excel at transferring knowledge from one task to another. When we face a new problem or a
task, we often rely on past experiences to guide us. Similarly, in the world of machine learning, transfer…

13 min read

Collaborative Learning - Federated Learning

The field of data science has seen significant developments in the past five years. Traditional Machine
Learning training relied on large datasets which were stored in centralized locations like data centers, and…

6 min read

100 Days of Machine Learning - A Complete Guide For Beginners

Machine learning is a rapidly growing field within the broader domain of Artificial Intelligence. It involves
developing algorithms that can automatically learn patterns and insights from data without being explicitly…

10 min read

7 Major Challenges Faced By Machine Learning Professionals

In Machine Learning, there occurs a process of analyzing data for building or training models. It is just
everywhere; from Amazon product recommendations to self-driven cars, it holds great value throughout. As…

5 min read

Top 50+ Machine Learning Interview Questions and Answers

Machine Learning involves the development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to
improve their performance in tasks through experience. Machine Learning is one of the booming careers in…

15+ min read

100+ Machine Learning Projects with Source Code [2025]

This article provides over 100 Machine Learning projects and ideas to provide hands-on experience for both
beginners and professionals. Whether you're a student enhancing your resume or a professional advancing…

6 min read
 Corporate & Communications
Address:
A-143, 7th Floor, Sovereign Corporate
Tower, Sector- 136, Noida, Uttar
Pradesh (201305)

Registered Address:
K 061, Tower K, Gulshan Vivante
Apartment, Sector 137, Noida,
Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh,
201305

Advertise with us

Company Languages DSA Data Science Web Python

About Us Python Data Structures & ML Technologies Tutorial
Legal Java Algorithms Data Science HTML Python
Privacy Policy C++ DSA for With Python CSS Programming
In Media PHP Beginners Data Science For JavaScript Examples
Contact Us GoLang Basic DSA Beginner TypeScript Python Projects
Advertise with us SQL Problems Machine ReactJS Python Tkinter
GFG Corporate R Language DSA Roadmap Learning NextJS Web Scraping
Solution Android Tutorial Top 100 DSA ML Maths Bootstrap OpenCV Tutorial
Placement Tutorials Archive Interview Data Web Design Python Interview
Training Program Problems Visualisation Question
GeeksforGeeks DSA Roadmap by Pandas Django
Community Sandeep Jain NumPy
All Cheat Sheets NLP
Deep Learning

Computer DevOps System Inteview School GeeksforGeeks

Science Git Design Preparation Subjects Videos
Operating Linux High Level Competitive Mathematics DSA
Systems AWS Design Programming Physics Python
Computer Docker Low Level Design Top DS or Algo Chemistry Java
Network Kubernetes UML Diagrams for CP Biology C++
Database Azure Interview Guide Company-Wise Social Science Web
Management GCP Design Patterns Recruitment English Grammar Development
System DevOps OOAD Process Commerce Data Science
Software Roadmap System Design Company-Wise World GK CS Subjects
Engineering Bootcamp Preparation
Digital Logic Interview Aptitude
Design Questions Preparation
Engineering Puzzles
Maths
Software
Development
Software Testing

@GeeksforGeeks, Sanchhaya Education Private Limited, All rights reserved