What are the differences between linear and non-linear models?

What are the differences between linear and non-linear models?

Linear models assume a straight-line relationship between input and output, while non-linear models can capture more complex patterns.

Can you give me examples of each type of model?

Sure! A linear model example is linear regression, while a non-linear model example is a decision tree or neural network.

When should I use a non-linear model instead of a linear one?

Use non-linear models when the relationship between variables is complex and cannot be accurately represented by a straight line.

Are non-linear models always better than linear models?

Not necessarily. Non-linear models can overfit the data if not managed properly, so it's important to evaluate performance on validation data.