Algorithm (nonfiction)

Flow chart of an algorithm (Euclid's algorithm) for calculating the greatest common divisor (g.c.d.) of two numbers a and b in locations named A and B. The algorithm proceeds by successive subtractions in two loops: IF the test B ≥ A yields "yes" (or true) (more accurately the number b in location B is greater than or equal to the number a in location A) THEN, the algorithm specifies B ← B − A (meaning the number b − a replaces the old b). Similarly, IF A > B, THEN A ← A − B. The process terminates when (the contents of) B is 0, yielding the g.c.d. in A.

In mathematics and Computer science, an algorithm is a self-contained step-by-step set of operations to be performed.

In the News

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  Asclepius Myrmidon publishes new analysis of unregistered halting problem algorithms, predicts emergence of new algorithms for crimes against mathematical constants.

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  Numbered cake algorithm used to build new type of scrying engine.

Fiction cross-reference

• Gnomon Algorithm
• Mathematics

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Computer science (nonfiction)
• Breadth-first search (nonfiction)
• Depth-first search (nonfiction)
• Mathematics (nonfiction)
• Prim's algorithm (nonfiction) - a greedy algorithm that finds a minimum spanning tree for a weighted undirected graph
• Theory of computation (nonfiction)

Publications:

• Numerical Recipes - a series of books on algorithms and numerical analysis by William H. Press, Saul A. Teukolsky, William T. Vetterling and Brian P. Flannery. In various editions, the books have been in print since 1986. The most recent edition was published in 2007. On the web: numerical.recipes.

External links:

• Algorithm @ Wikipedia
• Background: Algorithms @ 50 Examples
• What does it mean to ask for an “explainable” algorithm? by Ed Felten