1. An algorithm is a sequence of unambiguous instructions to solve a problem and obtain an output for any valid input in a finite amount of time. Pseudocode is used to describe algorithms using a natural language format.
2. Analyzing algorithm efficiency involves determining the theoretical and empirical time complexity by counting the number of basic operations performed relative to the input size. Common measures are best-case, worst-case, average-case, and amortized analysis.
3. Important problem types for algorithms include sorting, searching, string processing, graphs, combinatorics, geometry, and numerical problems. Fundamental algorithms are analyzed for correctness and time/space complexity.