English

A mathematical perspective on Transformers

Machine Learning 2025-08-22 v5 Analysis of PDEs Dynamical Systems

Abstract

Transformers play a central role in the inner workings of large language models. We develop a mathematical framework for analyzing Transformers based on their interpretation as interacting particle systems, which reveals that clusters emerge in long time. Our study explores the underlying theory and offers new perspectives for mathematicians as well as computer scientists.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2312.10794,
  title  = {A mathematical perspective on Transformers},
  author = {Borjan Geshkovski and Cyril Letrouit and Yury Polyanskiy and Philippe Rigollet},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2312.10794},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T13:54:02.494Z