A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.
‘a basic algorithm for division’
‘Another arithmetical result presented by Brahmagupta is his algorithm for computing square roots.’
‘This first step is here reduced to a simple algorithm suitable for computer use.’
‘Mathematicians can use similar algorithms to generate fractals and other forms.’
‘Having established the nature of equilibria, Smale began to think algorithms for their computation.’
‘An algorithm known as the simplex method can be used to find these optimal strategies, but it will not be pursued here.’
‘He solved cubic equations by extending an algorithm for finding cube roots.’
‘I love numbers and always as an amusement, and more seriously than that, invented new algorithms to calculate them.’
‘Kleene's research was on the theory of algorithms and recursive functions.’
‘The appropriate degree of adjustment may be helped by nomograms or computer algorithms.’
‘One of the first applications of the simplex algorithm was to the determination of an adequate diet that was of least cost.’
‘Malcev also created a synthesis of the theory of algebras and of algorithms called constructive algebras.’
‘The theory of algorithms and a variety of computational models were developed.’
‘In fact there are many hybrid systems where asymmetric algorithms are used to distribute keys for symmetric algorithms.’
‘Leibniz considered the possibility of algorithms which would apply to logical argument as well as mathematics.’
‘All the algorithms to carry out arithmetical operations are presented in this way and no proofs are given.’
‘He began to study mathematical logic and the theory of algorithms just before 1940.’
‘The following year he wrote on number theory, making a contribution to the theory of the Euclidean algorithm.’
‘The algorithm employs quite elementary arithmetic and is stated by the authors in just 13 lines.’
‘Here there is no unfolding to a single planar component but the algorithm finds an unfolding with four planar components.’
‘The service relies on computer algorithms to select and summarise the stories generating the widest coverage.’
Origin
Late 17th century (denoting the Arabic or decimal notation of numbers): variant (influenced by Greek arithmos ‘number’) of Middle English algorism, via Old French from medieval Latin algorismus. The Arabic source, al-Ḵwārizmī ‘the man of Ḵwārizm’ (now Khiva), was a name given to the 9th-century mathematician Abū Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Mūsa, author of widely translated works on algebra and arithmetic.
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