Exploring Algorithms

Which of these is a characteristic of a good algorithm?

• It is very slow

• It uses a lot of memory

• It is easy to understand

• It cannot be improved

What is an algorithm?

• A type of computer

• A list of steps to solve a problem

• A programming language

• A bug in a computer program

What is the first step in creating an algorithm?

• Testing the algorithm

• Writing code

• Identifying the problem

• Drawing pictures

Which of these is an example of an algorithm in real life?

• A recipe for baking a cake

• A story in a book

• A list of your favorite songs

• A picture of a cat

What does it mean if an algorithm is "efficient"?

• It takes a long time to complete

• It solves the problem quickly and uses resources well

• It is very complicated

• It can only solve easy problems

If you follow an algorithm to put together a puzzle, what are you doing at each step?

• Guessing where the pieces go

• Putting pieces anywhere

• Following a set of instructions to place each piece

• Asking a friend for help

Why do computer scientists use algorithms?

• To make their work harder

• To solve problems in a logical way

• Because they have to

• To make computers look nice

What is a "loop" in an algorithm?

• A mistake that needs fixing

• A part of the algorithm that repeats certain steps

• The end of the algorithm

• A funny joke in the instructions