Computer Simulation of Neural Networks Using Spreadsheets: Dr. Anderson, Welcome Back

Abstract

The authors of the given article continue the series presented by the 2018 paper “Computer Simulation of Neural Networks Using Spreadsheets: The Dawn of the Age of Camelot”. This time, they consider mathematical informatics as the basis of higher engineering education fundamentalization. Mathematical informatics deals with smart simulation, information security, long-term data storage and big data management, artificial intelligence systems, etc. The authors suggest studying basic principles of mathematical informatics by applying cloud-oriented means of various levels including those traditionally considered supplementary – spreadsheets. The article considers ways of building neural network models in cloud-oriented spreadsheets, Google Sheets. The model is based on the problem of classifying multi-dimensional data provided in “The Use of Multiple Measurements in Taxonomic Problems” by R. A. Fisher. Edgar Anderson’s role in collecting and preparing the data in the 1920s-1930s is discussed as well as some peculiarities of data selection. There are presented data on the method of multi-dimensional data presentation in the form of an ideograph developed by Anderson and considered one of the first efficient ways of data visualization.