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Chapter 2: Problem 3

What is an algorithm?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or completing a task, with each step being well-defined and specific. For example, an algorithm for pairing socks involves picking up a sock, finding its match, pairing them, removing the pair from the pile, and repeating the process until no socks are left.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of an Algorithm

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or completing a task. Each step should be well-defined and perform a specific operation, resulting in the desired outcome. Algorithms can be performed by humans or computed by machines (e.g., computers).
02

Example of an Algorithm

Consider the following problem: you have a pile of socks that need to be paired. How do you pair them up? Here's a simple algorithm to accomplish this task: 1. Pick up the first sock. 2. Find a matching sock in the pile. 3. Pair the two matching socks together. 4. Remove the pair from the pile. 5. Repeat steps 1-4 until there are no socks left in the pile. This algorithm provides a step-by-step process for pairing socks, helping to simplify the task and make it more manageable.

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