Define Algorithm. Explain its features with the help of suitable examples.

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An algorithm is like a set of instructions that you give to a computer or follow yourself to solve a problem or do something. It’s like a recipe that tells you what to do in a clear and organized way.

Features of an Algorithm:

  1. Clear Steps: Algorithms have clear and precise steps that need to be followed.
  2. Well-Defined Inputs and Outputs: Algorithms take certain inputs, follow the steps, and produce specific outputs.
  3. Finiteness: Algorithms have a definite end. They eventually stop, giving you a solution or result.
  4. Effective: Algorithms are effective, meaning they provide the correct result for the given problem.
  5. Feasible: The steps in an algorithm are practical and doable.
  6. Unambiguous: Each step in an algorithm has a clear meaning, and there’s no confusion about what to do.

Example: Algorithm to Make a Sandwich: Let’s consider making a sandwich as an example of an algorithm:

Inputs: Bread, peanut butter, jelly Output: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Steps:

  1. Take two slices of bread.
  2. Spread peanut butter on one slice.
  3. Spread jelly on the other slice.
  4. Press the slices together, peanut butter and jelly sides facing each other.
  5. Your peanut butter and jelly sandwich is ready!

Algorithm to Generate Fibonacci Series: The Fibonacci series is a sequence of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. Here’s how you could create a simple algorithm to generate a Fibonacci series up to 10 terms:

Inputs: Number of terms (let’s say 10)

Output: Fibonacci series: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34

Steps:

  1. Set a counter variable to keep track of the terms (start from 1).
  2. Initialize variables prev1 and prev2 as 0 and 1.
  3. Print 0 (the first term).
  4. Repeat the following steps for the remaining terms (up to the given number of terms – 1):
    • a. Calculate the next Fibonacci term: next_term = prev1 + prev2.
    • b. Print next_term.
    • c. Update prev1 with the value of prev2.
    • d. Update prev2 with the value of next_term.
    • e. Increment the counter.
  5. Algorithm ends.

This algorithm calculates and displays the first 10 terms of the Fibonacci series.

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