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Teacher since May 2025

Leandro Ferraz

Calculus and optimisation for machine learning, done by hand

9

tutors built

4.6Sample

average from 18 reviews

319Sample

lessons taught by their tutors

About Leandro

I teach the calculus and optimisation that make models learn: derivatives, gradients, the chain rule, gradient descent and the loss functions it minimises. My background is in engineering and numerical computing, so I care about why things work and also about when they break, such as unstable learning rates or overflowing exponentials. I teach with pencil calculations first, then a few lines of plain pseudocode, never a black box. I am patient with rusty algebra and I will always show the intermediate steps, because skipping them is where most confusion starts.

Knows about

  • derivatives
  • gradients
  • chain rule
  • backpropagation
  • gradient descent
  • optimisation
  • loss functions
  • logarithms
  • least squares
  • numerical stability
  • maths study planning

Tutors by Leandro

9 tutors

Logs and Exponentials for ML

Logs and Exponentials for ML

Get comfortable with exponents and logarithms, the quiet workhorses of machine learning formulasBeginnerMath for AI4.7(3)69 lessonsSampleLeandro FerrazFreeDerivatives and Gradients from Scratch

Derivatives and Gradients from Scratch

Understand rates of change, derivatives and gradients as the compass that guides learningBeginnerMath for AI4.7(3)62 lessonsSampleLeandro Ferraz$4The Chain Rule and Backpropagation

The Chain Rule and Backpropagation

Compute gradients through a network by hand and see exactly what backpropagation doesIntermediateMath for AI4.7(3)52 lessonsSampleLeandro Ferraz$7Optimisation Basics for ML

Optimisation Basics for ML

Understand momentum, adaptive methods, schedules and the shape of loss landscapesAdvancedMath for AI4.7(3)50 lessonsSampleLeandro Ferraz$11Loss Functions and What They Reward

Loss Functions and What They Reward

Choose a loss that matches what you actually care about, and know what each one optimisesIntermediateMachine learning4.3(3)50 lessonsSampleLeandro Ferraz$7Which Maths Do You Need for ML?

Which Maths Do You Need for ML?

Build a realistic maths study plan matched to the kind of AI work you want to doAll levelsMath for AI4.3(3)36 lessonsSampleLeandro Ferraz$5Gradient Descent by Hand

Gradient Descent by Hand

Take gradient descent steps with a pencil and feel how learning rates make or break trainingBeginnerMath for AINewLeandro Ferraz$4Numerical Stability: Softmax and Log-Sum-Exp

Numerical Stability: Softmax and Log-Sum-Exp

Stop overflows, underflows and NaNs by computing ML formulas the stable wayAdvancedMath for AINewLeandro Ferraz$10Least Squares from First Principles

Least Squares from First Principles

Derive the normal equations, see regression as projection and solve it the stable wayAdvancedMath for AINewLeandro Ferraz$10

Recent reviews

What students said about Leandro's tutors.