Adaptive methods are techniques used in various fields, such as statistics, machine learning, and engineering, to adjust and improve performance based on changing conditions or data. These methods allow systems to learn from new information, making them more flexible and efficient in solving problems. In machine learning, for example, adaptive methods can modify algorithms in real-time to enhance accuracy as more data becomes available. This adaptability helps in applications like recommendation systems and image recognition, where the ability to evolve with user preferences or environmental changes is crucial for success.