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What is a Hyperparameter?
A hyperparameter is a configuration setting used to control the learning process of a machine learning model. Unlike model parameters learned from data, hyperparameters are set before training and significantly influence model performance.
Definition
A hyperparameter is a predefined variable that governs how a model is trained, such as learning rate, batch size, or number of layers.
Key Takeaways
- Set before training begins.
- Strongly affects model accuracy and generalization.
- Common in machine learning, AI, and data science.
Understanding Hyperparameters
Hyperparameters determine how a learning algorithm explores data and updates model parameters. Poor choices can lead to underfitting or overfitting, while well-tuned hyperparameters improve accuracy and stability.
Typical hyperparameters include learning rate, regularization strength, number of epochs, tree depth (for decision trees), and number of hidden layers (for neural networks). Because optimal values vary by dataset and problem, tuning is a critical step in model development.
Techniques such as grid search, random search, and Bayesian optimization are commonly used to identify optimal hyperparameter values.
Real-World Example
A data science team adjusts the learning rate and batch size of a neural network to improve prediction accuracy on customer churn data.
Importance in Business or Economics
Hyperparameters matter because they:
- Improve predictive accuracy of models
- Reduce training time and computational cost
- Support reliable AI-driven decision-making
- Influence deployment success of data products
Types or Variations
- Model Hyperparameters — Structure-related (e.g., layers, depth)
- Optimization Hyperparameters — Learning rate, momentum
- Regularization Hyperparameters — L1/L2 penalties, dropout rate
Related Terms
- Machine Learning Model
- Model Parameters
- Overfitting
Sources and Further Reading
Quick Reference
- Pre-set training controls
- Not learned from data
- Tuned for optimal performance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are hyperparameters learned from data?
No, they are set before training begins.
How are hyperparameters chosen?
Through experimentation and tuning methods.
Do all models have hyperparameters?
Yes, most machine learning algorithms rely on them.
