2nd Edition

A Concise Introduction to Machine Learning

By A.C. Faul Copyright 2025
352 Pages 67 Color & 42 B/W Illustrations
by Chapman & Hall

352 Pages 67 Color & 42 B/W Illustrations
by Chapman & Hall

352 Pages 67 Color & 42 B/W Illustrations
by Chapman & Hall

A Concise Introduction to Machine Learning uses mathematics as the common language to explain a variety of machine learning concepts from basic principles and illustrates every concept using examples in both Python and MATLAB®, which are available on GitHub and can be run from there in Binder in a web browser. Each chapter concludes with exercises to explore the content. The emphasis of the... Read more

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Probability Theory

Chapter 3. Sampling

Chapter 4. Linear Classification

Chapter 5. Non-Linear Classification

Chapter 6. Dimensionality Reduction

Chapter 7. Regression

Chapter 8. Feature Learning

Appendix A. Matrix Formulae

Index

Biography

A.C. Faul is a passionate educator believing that only with deep understanding of the underlying connecting principles of algorithms can progress be made. She obtained an MASt and PhD in Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. She has worked on a variety of algorithms both in industry and academic settings.

“Artificial intelligence technologies will be transformational for our society, but not in the manner that the confident proclaimers of utopia and dystopia suggest. The changes we expect are sociotechnical; they require careful understanding from both the societal and technical perspectives. This is where Anita Faul's A Concise Introduction to Machine Learning comes in. With comprehensive coverage of the mathematical principles of machine learning, Anita's book provides the foundation of principled choices that students need to make good decisions when separating the noise from the signal. This foundation is critical to ensuring that we develop the beneficial aspects of the technology while curtailing the damaging outcomes. This can only occur through comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these techniques. 

Welcome to Anita’s world: a concise introduction to machine learning that builds on solid foundations, practical real-world experience and a long experience of sharing these principles with students.”

Neil LawrenceThe DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning, University of Cambridge. Senior AI Fellow, The Alan Turing Institute. Visiting Professor of Machine Learning, University of Sheffield