Algorithms

Question 1

What is an algorithm?

Answer 1

A finite sequence of operations for carrying out a procedure or solving a problem.

Question 2

3 characteristics of algorithms

Answer 2

• must be UNAMBIGUOUS i.e. person or machine running the algorithm should not have to make choices
• must be DETERMINISTIC i.e. no chance of randomness involved
• must be FINITE i.e. must end

Question 3

Big O Notation

Answer 3

• it represents the complexity of the algorithm and how it scales up
• it describes the worst case scenario

Question 4

What does it mean if one algorithm has a higher order of complexity than another?

Answer 4

it will have a longer run time