Can a neural network be used to find a functions minimum(a)?
The training process of a back-propagation neural network works by minimizing the error from the optimal result. But having a trained neural network finding the minimum of an unknown function would be pretty hard.
If you restrict the problem to a specific function class, it could work, and be pretty quick too. Neural networks are good at finding patterns, if there are any.
I had been interested in neural networks for a bit and thought about using one in python for a light project that compares various minimization techniques in a time domain (which is fastest).
Then I realized I didn't even know if a NN is good for minimization. What do you think?