Machine Learning is not to compete with a formal mathematical equation.
By Pedro Perdomo When you want to have a digital model of your process, mainly you have two options, real three but let’s take the first two. You can use the first principles of physics and try to get a fairly, replicable, and “precise” math model. On the other hand, you can use data to train a machine-learning algorithm and get a math actuation, a black box, but certainly wit an embedded rich acknowledge of your process. The first option needs subject matter experts who understand the thermodynamics of the process. The second just need data experts. Which option to take? Why? In engineering, mathematics does not have all the solutions. On many occasions, we understimete variables in an math equation looking for a practical solution, close to reality. We do NOT struggle to calculate milligrams if at the end, we can NOT measure milligrams. Making a mathematical model of an industrial process suggests posing primary equations, well-un...