Let's simplify the preceding diagram of the neural network:
We'll have a circle represent the body of the neuron, and we'll call it the neuron. The "dendrites" of the neuron receive inputs from other neurons (unshown) and add up all the inputs. Each input represents an input from another neuron; so, if you see three inputs, it means that this neuron is connected to three other neurons.
If the sum of the inputs exceeds a threshold value, then we can say the neuron "fires" or is activated. This simulates the activation potential of an actual neuron. For simplicity, let's say if it fires, then the output will be 1; ...