forward mode

Forward mode is a method used in calculus to find the derivative (rate of change) of a function. Imagine you want to see how a small change in input affects the output; forward mode traces this change from the input through the function to the output. It's like passing a small pulse forward through a system to see how it transforms. This approach is efficient when dealing with functions that have fewer inputs than outputs, making derivative calculations faster and more straightforward in such cases.