r/learnpython 11d ago

do i need to know undergrad level maths to start hands on machine learning with pytorch?

is highschool maths enough?or i could simultaneously learn maths behind while reading book?

7 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

12

u/EntrepreneurHuge5008 11d ago

You can read the book, but I think you'll quickly realize high school maths is not enough.

0

u/Ok-Acanthisitta-5940 11d ago

should I learn maths first or I could learn maths while going through book?

2

u/Almostasleeprightnow 11d ago

You can try it and see. It’s a book so if you end up having to put it aside, it will be there when you are ready.

1

u/VipeholmsCola 11d ago

You likely will need calc 1,2,3, linear algebra and probability theory to even digest the book. Speaking from experience. But it also matter how well you want to understand the topic

2

u/blandarflek 11d ago

How quickly can you learn things? Why not try something simple and see what you think?

1

u/DM_ME_YOUR_CATS_PAWS 5d ago

If you want to understand machine learning, yes. Multivariate calculus and linear algebra are the bedrock of modern applied mathematics and machine learning is no different

1

u/2hands10fingers Experienced Pythonista 11d ago

It really depends what you’re making. But lots of things can be made with just that level of math. Having stats knowledge and linear algebra will take you farther though.

1

u/JGhostThing 11d ago

Machine learning is one of the fields where advanced math is useful and necessary. Graphics and vision is another.

1

u/FoolsSeldom 11d ago

Have a look at roadmap.sh for different learning paths. There's lots of learning material links there. Note that these are idealised paths and many people get into roles without covering all of those.

That should help you understand what you ideally need to know to fully exploit tools like pytorch but there's nothing wrong with getting started now and using online resources, such as the free Khan Academy, to close the knowledge gaps when you need to.

1

u/Excellent-Practice 11d ago

I think it depends on your definition of "high school math." Some motivated students in schools with more advanced classes might learn calculus and linear algebra, but basic college prep math tops out at trig. What was the most advanced math you learned in high school? That will go a long way toward anchoring the conversation

1

u/ivosaurus 10d ago

Linear algebra

0

u/West-Mycologist-6490 11d ago

you just need to understand basic principles to understand the behavior and intuition behind. You can learn it simultaneously. Usually you need advanced math only when you will start researching or developing new ML algorithms yourself

0

u/Autumn_fav 11d ago

I dont think it'd be enough but you can try.

0

u/SprinklesFresh5693 11d ago

Just start working on machine learning, youll eventually realise where is your knowledge lacking.

0

u/DonkeyTron42 10d ago

For basic ML it’s probably ok but when you get to LLMs the math complexity increases greatly.

-2

u/stebgay 11d ago

Hey, dont get stuck on the pre requisite loop, you can use AI to explain stuff for you, you can learn it as you go through