Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2607.17090

Expressivity of Shallow Neural Networks Over Finite Fields

Abstract

We study the expressivity of shallow polynomial neural networks (PNNs) with monomial activation functions over finite fields. For a given architecture, we define a neuromanifold as the image of the map from all possible network weights into the product of polynomial rings. We quantify the expressivity by the cardinality of the neuromanifold, and derive a natural lower and upper bound. This leads to counting rational points over finite fields, a problem closely linked to the Weil conjectures. Finally, we present an architecture that exhibits a striking difference in the neuromanifolds when considered over a characteristic zero versus a finite-characteristic field, illustrating the critical role of field characteristic in the notion of expressivity.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Maksym Zubkov, Carol Wu, Shiwei Yang, Param Mody, Yifei Chen. 2026-07-19. Expressivity of Shallow Neural Networks Over Finite Fields. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.17090

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Shrinking dynamic on multidimensional tropical series

Let $Ω\subset\mathbb R^n$ be a compact convex domain. An $Ω$-tropical series is a nonnegative, concave, integral-slope, piecewise-affine function on $Ω$ that vanishes on $\partialΩ$. For a finite set $P\subsetΩ^\circ$, we study the least such function above prescribed initial data whose corner locus contains $P$. It is obtained by repeatedly applying one-point shrinking operators $G_p$. We prove that every fair order of these operators stabilizes after finitely many nontrivial steps. We also describe an event-driven implementation that records the lowest monomials at each point and updates only affected watcher lists. Finally, we show that, on every compact subset of $Ω^\circ$, the resulting dynamics can be approximated by a finite path whose intermediate tropical hypersurfaces have only mild singularities on that compact set; equivalently, the corresponding local cells of the dual regular subdivision contain no lattice points other than their vertices.

math.AG

A stacky $p$-adic Riemann--Hilbert correspondence on Hitchin-small locus

Let $C$ be an algebraically closed perfectoid field over $\mathbb{Q}_p$ with the ring of integer $\mathcal{O}_C$ and the infinitesimal thickening $\Ainf$. Let $\mathfrak X$ be a semi-stable formal scheme over $\mathcal{O}_C$ with a fixed flat lifting $\widetilde{\mathfrak X}$ over $\Ainf$. Let $X$ be the generic fiber of $\mathfrak{X}$ and $\widetilde X$ be its lifting over $\BdRp$ induced by $\widetilde{\mathfrak X}$. Let $\MIC_r(\widetilde X)^{{\rm H}\text{-small}}$ and $\rL\rS_r(X,\BBdRp)^{{\rm H}\text{-small}}$ be the $v$-stacks of rank-$r$ Hitchin-small integrable connections on $X_{\et}$ and $\BBdRp$-local systems on $X_{v}$, respectively. In this paper, we establish an equivalence between these two stacks by introducing a new period sheaf with connection $(\calO\bB_{\dR,\pd}^+,\rd)$ on $X_{v}$.

math.AG

A refinement of the coherence conjecture of Pappas and Rapoport

The coherence conjecture of Pappas and Rapoport, proved by Zhu, asserts the equality of dimensions for the global sections of a line bundle over a spherical Schubert variety in the affine Grassmannian and those of another line bundle over a certain union of Schubert varieties in a partial affine flag variety. We refine this equality of dimensions to an isomorphism of representations. The comparison is established by introducing a parahoric Bruhat-Tits group scheme $\mathcal{G}$ over the affine line, ramified at 0. We further strengthen this comparison by equipping any line bundle on the global Schubert variety of $\mathcal{G}$ with a unique equivariant structure under the global jet group scheme. As an application, we obtain new relations among affine Demazure modules.

math.AG