What is an algorithm?

Lecture notes for helping students learn what an algorithm is and giving them practice in using what they learned

1. What is an algorithm? Created by Angela DeHart, 2/2019,

2. Algorithm (noun): A set of steps to accomplish a task

3. An algorithm describes the step by step action to solve a problem .

4. An  algorithm  has a well defined sequence of steps, it gives you an output, and it will eventually terminate. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6

5. An algorithm is a self-contained step-by-step set of operations to be performed to solve a specific problem or a class of problems. For example, an algorithm for driving to a friend's house could be: Find your keys Walk out of the house Close the door Open the car door Get into the car Put the key into the ignition, etc…..  

6. An  algorithm  is a precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with an input value and yields an output value in a finite number of steps in order to solve a particular problem  

7. An algorithm is a self-contained step-by-step set of operations to be performed to solve a specific problem or a class of problems. A computer program is a sequence of instructions that comply the rules of a specific programming language , written to perform a specified task with a computer.

8. What is your algorithm for getting to this class?

9. What is your algorithm for getting up on Saturdays?

10. What is your algorithm for brushing your teeth?

11. What is your algorithm for eating breakfast?

12. Practice!

13. What is your algorithm for getting up in the morning? Let’s make our first algorithm! On an index card write the response to:

14. In  Australian  Aboriginal society , a   Walkabout  is a rite of passage during which males undergo a journey during adolescence, typically ages 10 to 16, and live in the wilderness for a period as long as six months to make the spiritual and traditional transition into manhood. Walkabout Exercise

15. You could teach another person the meaning of the word You can create an example You can use the concept to solve a problem Walkabout Exercise The objective of our walkabout is for you to learn what algorithm is so well that:

16. Place your index card in our hand Go to the designated area Exchange index cards with the person in front of you until asked to stop Read the index card Walk-about Exercise

17. I get it! I can help someone else! I do not understand, yet. I need help I kind of get it. I need more practice 1 ---------- 3 ---------- 5 5 Point Feedback Scale

18. Using our 5 point scale how well do you feel like you understand what an algorithm is?

19. More practice!

20. Create a team of 3

21. Read over your team’s problem. Then decide who is going to be… Let’s make our second algorithm! Hands-on Activity

22. The Cookbook Author Person #2: The Chef Person #1: Restaurant guest Person #3:

23. Restaurant guest Person #3: Place your order Write down your observations of the process Access the success of your meal based on the order you placed A perfect meal! – 20% tip An acceptable meal! – 10% tip Dissatisfied customer! – 0% tip

24. The Cookbook Author Person #2: Write down the algorithm for the Chef to follow in order to create the meal for the restaurant guest Once you have completed your meal you may not make any changes to your algorithm

25. The Chef Person #1: Make the order using the algorithm created by the Cookbook Author You may not make any changes to the algorithm If you are not able to continue, you must stop and inform the Cookbook Author of your status

26. I get it! I can help someone else! I do not understand, yet. I need help I kind of get it. I need more practice 1 ---------- 3 ---------- 5 5 Point Feedback Scale

27. Using our 5 point scale how well do you feel like you understand what an algorithm is?

28. More practice!

29. https://youtu.be/6hfOvs8pY1k

30. I get it! I can help someone else! I do not understand, yet. I need help I kind of get it. I need more practice 1 ---------- 3 ---------- 5 5 Point Feedback Scale

31. Using our 5 point scale how well do you feel like you understand what an algorithm is?

32. Funwork!

33. https:// www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/algorithms/intro-to-algorithms/v/what-are-algorithms