An example method for accelerating neuron computations in an artificial neural network (ANN) comprises receiving a plurality of pairs of first values and second values associated with a neuron of an ANN, selecting pairs from the plurality of pairs, wherein a count of the selected pairs is less than a count of all pairs in the plurality of pairs, performing mathematical operations on the selected pairs to obtain a result, determining that the result does not satisfy a criterion, and, until the result satisfies the criterion, selecting further pairs from the plurality, performing the mathematical operations on the selected further pairs to obtain further results, and determining, based on the result and the further results, an output of the neuron.