# Lecture 8
## Topic
In this lecture you learn what a neural network actually is and implement one from scratch.
## Lecture Slides
```{raw} html
```
```{eval-rst}
:download:`Download the slides <_static/bld/pdfs/lecture_8.pdf>`
```
## Exercises
```{toctree}
---
maxdepth: 1
---
bld/notebooks/exercises/exercise_8.ipynb
bld/notebooks/solutions/exercise_8.ipynb
```
## Suggested Homework
- Watch the Video below
- Play around with a different model (e.g. more layers, larger layers)
- How small can you make the model before it breaks down?
- Does a larger model help?
- Play around with the hyperparameters of the optimization
## Additional materials
### 3Blue1Brown Video
This excellent Video uses the exact same network you train in the exercises and gives
explains it from a slightly different perspective. You should absolutely watch it,
ideally before the lecture.