Algorithm: Difference between revisions

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An '''algorithm''' is the description of a procedure to solve a certain (mathematical) problem. Typically, an algorithm consists of a series of actions that have to be done plus an indication of whether and when they are to be repeated. One could see an algorithm as a rough form of a computer program.

The word ''algorithm'' is a corruption of the word ''algorism'' which came from the name of [[al-Khwarizmi|Abu Ja'far Mohammed ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi]] (ca. 780 - ca. 850). He was the author of the book "''Kitab al-jabr w'al-muqabala''" (''Rules of Restoration and Reduction'') which introduced [[Algebra|algebra]] to people in the West. The word ''algebra'' itself originates from ''al-Jabr'' from the book title. The word "algorism" orignallyoriginally referred only to the rules of performing arithmetic using [[Arabic numerals]], but evolved into "algorithm" by the eighteenth century. The word has nowadays evolved to include all definite procedures for solving problems, including cooking :)

As an example of an algorithm, here is one given to us by [[Euclid]], and thus known as the [[Euclidean algorithm]], for finding the [[greatest common divisor]] (GCD) of two positive [[integer|integers]] A and B: