define division algorithm
Answers
Step-by-step explanation:
Algorithms are a set of step-by-step instructions that satisfy a certain set of properties. In this lesson, we'll explore the properties an algorithm must satisfy in order to be useful using an example.
Algorithms
Have you ever tried to assemble a piece of furniture by yourself? If so, you probably used a set of step-by-step instructions to assist you in your endeavor. Wouldn't it be nice if math problems came with a set of instructions like this? Oh wait, they do!
When solving a math problem, we usually use an algorithm, or a set of step-by-step instructions. For example, suppose we're trying to figure out what the perimeter of a rectangle with length 5 units would be for various widths. Since the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is:
P = 2l + 2w, where l = length and w = width
we can plug in 5 for l to get P = 2(5) + 2w = 10 + 2w. Ultimately, we're trying to find the different values of P for various values of w, where
P = 10 + 2w
To figure out the perimeter for this rectangle, for some width w, we follow these steps:
Multiply w by 2.
Add 10 to the result. This is the perimeter.
algoprop1
This is an example of an algorithm. It is a set of steps that we can follow in order to find the perimeter of the rectangle for a given width, w. Now suppose we want to know what the perimeter of this rectangle would be if it had a width of 8 units. Again, we can use our algorithm.
Multiply 8 by 2: 8 ⋅ 2 = 16
Add 10 to the result: 16 + 10 = 26