An algorithm is a set of steps to accomplish a specific task or solve a problem. It has a well-defined sequence of steps, will produce an output, and will eventually terminate. An algorithm describes the precise steps to solve a computational procedure from an input to an output in a finite number of steps. Examples of algorithms include step-by-step directions for driving to a friend's house or brushing your teeth.

1. What is an algorithm?
Created by Angela DeHart, 2/2019,

2. Algorithm (noun):
A set of steps to accomplish a task

3. An algorithm describes the step by
step action to solve a problem.

4. An algorithm has a well defined
sequence of steps, it gives you an
output, and it will eventually
terminate.
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5. An algorithm is a self-contained step-by-step set of
operations to be performed to solve a specific
problem or a class of problems.
For example, an algorithm for driving to a friend's house could be:
1. Find your keys
2. Walk out of the house
3. Close the door
4. Open the car door
5. Get into the car
6. Put the key into the ignition, etc…..

6. An algorithm is a precise step-by-
step plan for a computational
procedure that possibly begins with
an input value and yields an output
value in a finite number of steps in
order to solve a particular problem

7. An algorithm is a self-contained step-by-step set of
operations to be performed to solve a specific
problem or a class of problems.
A computer program is a sequence of instructions
that comply the rules of a specific programming
language , written to perform a specified task with
a computer.

8. What is your
algorithm for
getting to this
class?

9. What is your
algorithm for
getting up on
Saturdays?

10. What is your
algorithm for
brushing your
teeth?

11. What is your
algorithm for
eating
breakfast?

12. Practice!

13. What is your
algorithm for
getting up in
the morning?
Let’s make
our first
algorithm!
On an index card write
the response to:

14. In Australian Aboriginal society,
a Walkabout is a rite of passage during
which males undergo a journey during
adolescence, typically ages 10 to 16, and
live in the wilderness for a period as long
as six months to make the spiritual and
traditional transition into manhood.
Walkabout Exercise

15. 1. You could teach another person the
meaning of the word
2. You can create an example
3. You can use the concept to solve a problem
Walkabout Exercise
The objective of our walkabout is for you to learn
what algorithm is so well that:

16. 1. Place your index card in our hand
2. Go to the designated area
3. Exchange index cards with the person
in front of you until asked to stop
4. Read the index card
Walk-about Exercise

17. I get it! I can
help someone
else!
I do not
understand, yet.
I need help
I kind of get it. I
need more
practice
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5 Point Feedback Scale

18. Using our 5 point scale
how well do you feel like
you understand what an
algorithm is?

19. More
practice!

20. Create a team of 3

21. Read over your
team’s problem.
Then decide who
is going to be…
Let’s make
our second
algorithm!
Hands-on Activity

22. The Cookbook Author
Person #2:
The Chef
Person #1:
Restaurant guest
Person #3:

23. Restaurant guest
Person #3:
1. Place your order
2. Write down your observations of the process
3. Access the success of your meal based on the order you placed
a. A perfect meal! – 20% tip
b. An acceptable meal! – 10% tip
c. Dissatisfied customer! – 0% tip

24. The Cookbook Author
Person #2:
1.Write down the algorithm for the Chef to follow in
order to create the meal for the restaurant guest
a. Once you have completed your meal you may
not make any changes to your algorithm

25. The Chef
Person #1:
1.Make the order using the algorithm created by the
Cookbook Author
a. You may not make any changes to the algorithm
b. If you are not able to continue, you must stop and
inform the Cookbook Author of your status

26. I get it! I can
help someone
else!
I do not
understand, yet.
I need help
I kind of get it. I
need more
practice
1----------3----------5
5 Point Feedback Scale

27. Using our 5 point scale
how well do you feel like
you understand what an
algorithm is?

28. More
practice!

29. https://youtu.be/6hfOvs8pY1k

30. I get it! I can
help someone
else!
I do not
understand, yet.
I need help
I kind of get it. I
need more
practice
1----------3----------5
5 Point Feedback Scale

31. Using our 5 point scale
how well do you feel like
you understand what an
algorithm is?

32. Funwork!

33. https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-
science/algorithms/intro-to-algorithms/v/what-are-algorithms