Kernel Function

A kernel function is a mathematical tool used in machine learning to analyze data that isn't easily separable by straight lines or simple boundaries. Instead of transforming data explicitly into higher dimensions, kernels compute similarity scores directly between data points, allowing algorithms like Support Vector Machines to find complex patterns efficiently. Think of it as a way to measure how alike two data points are, even if they are in a complicated, multi-dimensional space. This enables more flexible modeling without the heavy computational cost of explicitly transforming all data.