What is an Algorithm?

What is an Algorithm?  (pronounced AL-go-rith-um)


What is an algorithm and who uses them?  You do!

Have you ever followed a recipe?  Followed a set of instructions to put together a bicycle or a Lego toy for the kids?  These are all forms of algorithms. 

In mathematics, an algorithm is a set of step-by-step procedures that provides the correct answer to a particular problem.  By following the instructions correctly, you are guaranteed to get a correct end product.

In computing, an algorithm is a sequence of instructions for solving a computational problem which can be implemented as a program on a computer.  You will often see algorithms expressed in a form of a graph, put together with squares, circles and arrows.

Learn more about this author on Google+.