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I've found this equation that explains the output of a neuron in a MLP network:

$y(n) = f(\mathbf{w}^T \mathbf{x}(n) + b)$

I can understand the general context, but since i have no background with mathematical notation, i don't understand what the $(n)$ parameter means (e.g. $y(n)$, $x(n)$). Is it sort of a temporal or sample index? I've seen this notation in other machine learning subjects, but didn't find an explanation.

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n is the dimension of the vector x and also y, as you can see wT is a transpose of w with dimension (n,n), is the image z is y and a is x. and dont bother about l it indicates the index of layer.

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  • $\begingroup$ Is it mandatory to denote n? I mean, can i omit n and just write y or x? $\endgroup$
    – heresthebuzz
    Oct 19, 2020 at 21:10
  • $\begingroup$ I can't say for sure, but in the text i'm reading the author should've used $n$ as a temporal index because the dimensions of $y$ and $x$ are given in the text as follows: "[...] where $x \in \mathbb{R}^{K \times 1}$, [...]" $\endgroup$
    – heresthebuzz
    Oct 19, 2020 at 21:25
  • $\begingroup$ yes u can omit n, however that K means the length of x $\endgroup$
    – Simone
    Oct 19, 2020 at 22:35
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you very much. I will accept your answer as correct. $\endgroup$
    – heresthebuzz
    Oct 19, 2020 at 22:37
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    $\begingroup$ x is the input vector, but no information is given about (n). It could be a sample or temporal index. Since i'm writing a paper about this theme, i will just omit (n). $\endgroup$
    – heresthebuzz
    Oct 19, 2020 at 23:12

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