algorithm

[al-guh-rith-uhm]

noun

1. Mathematics.,  a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, such as the Euclidean algorithm for finding the greatest common divisor.

2. Computers.,  an ordered set of instructions recursively applied to transform data input into processed data output, such as a mathematical solution, search engine result, descriptive statistics, or predictive text suggestions.

algorithm

/ ˈælɡəˌrɪðəm /

noun

1. a logical arithmetical or computational procedure that if correctly applied ensures the solution of a problem Compare heuristic

2. logic maths a recursive procedure whereby an infinite sequence of terms can be generated

algorithm

1. A finite set of unambiguous instructions performed in a prescribed sequence to achieve a goal, especially a mathematical rule or procedure used to compute a desired result. Algorithms are the basis for most computer programming.

algorithm

1. A set of instructions for solving a problem, especially on a computer. An algorithm for finding your total grocery bill, for example, would direct you to add up the costs of individual items to find the total.

Other Word Forms

• algorithmically adverb
• algorithmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of algorithm¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; variant of algorism ( def. ), by association with Greek arithmós “number”; arithmetic ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of algorithm¹

C17: changed from _algorism , through influence of Greek arithmos number

Example Sentences

It heard how the algorithm used to determine if someone had been overpaid was based on flawed calculations by averaging a person's fortnightly income.

From BBC

I’ve been played songs that were built on an algorithm, and I found them kind of boring.

From Los Angeles Times

So we took the photo that Kassem had taken in the mortuary to a team at Bradford University which, for the past 20 years, has been developing a unique algorithm called Deep Face Recognition.

From BBC

Because Gotham is proprietary, the public, and even elected officials, cannot see how its algorithms weigh certain data points or why they highlight certain connections.

From Salon

But the government argues that even legitimate real-money gaming platforms run on "opaque algorithms" that makes it nearly impossible for users to win - a point some experts echo.

From BBC

Related Words

• action 
• agenda 
• conduct 
• form 
• measure 
• method 
• move 
• operation 
• plan 
• policy 
• practice 
• proceeding 
• program 
• scheme 
• step 
• strategy 
• transaction 

When To Use

What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules that can be followed to solve a problem.Algorithms are most commonly used in mathematics and computing, and they can often be very complex or have many steps or sets of instructions.For example, your teacher asks you to add 537 and 162. You might solve the problem by lining up 162 under 537 and adding the columns of numbers together. You add the 7 and 2 in the ones column to get 9, Next, you add the numbers in the tens column (3 and 6) to get 9. Finally, you add 5 and 1 in the hundreds column and get 6. Your answer, then, is 699. You have followed an addition algorithm to find the solution.In computing, a computer coder will create a set of instructions (the algorithm) that a computer or artificial intelligence will use to solve a problem or will consult in order to achieve a goal. Let’s say you spend the day watching Star Wars videos on YouTube. With each video you watch, the website will recommend other videos it thinks you will like. How does it know what you like? It runs an algorithm that finds videos that are similar to the ones you’ve already watched. If Darth Vader shows up in a video of a car commercial, YouTube will likely recommend it to you to watch because Vader was in a lot of the Star Wars videos you’ve already watched.