IB Digital Society 3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm Notes

3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm

What an Algorithm Is

An algorithm is a set of clear, step-by-step instructions for solving a problem or completing a task. The idea predates computers: a recipe or directions to a friend's house is an algorithm.

Algorithms are central to digital society because computers follow them relentlessly and at vast scale: navigation routes, feed rankings, and search results are all produced step by step.

Because a computer cannot use common sense or fill gaps, an algorithm must meet strict conditions to work at all. These characteristics let you reason about what an algorithm can and cannot be trusted to do.

Unambiguous and Deterministic

Every step must be unambiguous: it has exactly one possible interpretation. A person can guess how much salt to add; a computer cannot, so the step must state it precisely.

This makes algorithms deterministic: given the same input, an unambiguous algorithm always produces the same output. Predictability is the point, and it is what makes an algorithm testable.

Example

Example

Ambiguous: turn when it looks right, or wait a while.
Unambiguous: turn left after the second traffic light, or wait 30 seconds.
A computer can only follow the second kind.

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Note

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Tip

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

IB Digital Society 3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm Notes

3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm

What an Algorithm Is

Unambiguous and Deterministic

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm

What an Algorithm Is

Unambiguous and Deterministic

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Topic 1 - Introduction - Digital Society1 subtopic

Topic 2 - Concepts - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 3 - Content - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 4 - Contexts - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 5 - Challenges and Interventions - Digital Society (HL)3 subtopics

IB Digital Society 3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm Notes

Topic 1 - Introduction - Digital Society1 subtopic

Topic 2 - Concepts - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 3 - Content - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 4 - Contexts - Digital Society7 subtopics

Topic 5 - Challenges and Interventions - Digital Society (HL)3 subtopics

3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm

What an Algorithm Is

Unambiguous and Deterministic

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

3.2A Characteristics of an Algorithm

What an Algorithm Is

Unambiguous and Deterministic

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account