{"id":673,"date":"2023-06-11T11:27:13","date_gmt":"2023-06-11T11:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learnlearn.uk\/ibcs\/?page_id=673"},"modified":"2023-06-11T11:27:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T11:27:13","slug":"thinking-algorithmically","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/learnlearn.uk\/ibcs\/thinking-algorithmically\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking Algorithmically"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n
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What is an algorithm?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

An algorithm is a set of unambiguous, step-by-step instructions used to solve a problem. They are used by both human beings and computers.<\/p>\n

For example, imagine you have a bag of colored blocks, and you want to find a specific block, let’s say a blue block, in the bag. Here’s a simple algorithm you can follow:<\/p>\n

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  1. Take out one block from the bag.<\/li>\n
  2. Check if the block is blue.<\/li>\n
  3. If it is blue, you found the block! Yay! Stop searching.<\/li>\n
  4. If it’s not blue, put the block aside and go back to step 1.<\/li>\n
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 until you find the blue block.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In this example, the algorithm is a series of steps that helps you find the blue block. You repeat the steps until you find what you’re looking for.<\/p>\n

    Computers are really good at following algorithms, even much more complex ones. They can solve problems much faster than humans because they can follow instructions very quickly.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Algorithms for Humans<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Common examples of algorithms for humans include:<\/p>\n

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    \"Fire

    Fire evacuation Procedures<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Cooking

    Cooking Recipes<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Furniture

    Furniture assembly instructions<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Washing

    Washing Machine Usage Instrucitons<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>

    Computer Algorithms<\/h2>\n
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    Algorithms for Computers<\/h4>\n

    Computers require algorithms to function and these usually come in the form of software. Computers differ from humans in that the instructions provided must completely unambiguous – they must be clear and not open to interpretation.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    Click to enlarge<\/p><\/div>\n

    Computer Algorithms used in computers are usually written in text or block based programming languages such as Python or Scratch, though some algorithms are physically wired into a computer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>

    Video<\/h2>\n
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    Video – What is an algorithm?<\/h3>\n
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    https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=e_WfC8HwVB8<\/a>