You’ve probably heard people talk about “the algorithm” — maybe on social media, in tech news, or when trying to explain why a certain video popped up on your feed. But what does that word really mean?
What Is an Algorithm?: Transcript
You’ve probably heard of the algorithm, but what is an algorithm? Well, it’s just a set of instructions for solving a problem. Imagine you have a recipe for making a cup of tea. Boil water, put tea bag in a cup, pour boiling water into the cup, steep, and add milk.
This simple recipe is an algorithm, with a clear set of instructions to follow, to achieve the goal of making a cup of tea.
Computers use algorithms by taking input data, the ingredients, and following steps to achieve an output, your cup of tea. They are used to sort your emails, recommend videos or posts on social media, or to calculate the fastest route home. It sounds complex, but really it’s just step-by-step problem solving
In plain English, an algorithm is just a set of instructions — a method for solving a problem, step by step. Nothing fancy. You probably use algorithms every day without realizing it.
Algorithms in Everyday Life
For example:
When your email app sorts new messages into folders, that’s an algorithm at work.
When your phone gives you directions, it’s following an algorithm to find the fastest route.
Tea, but make it an algorithm
Let’s say you’re making a cup of tea. First, you boil the water. If it’s hot enough, you place a tea bag in your cup. You let it steep. If you like milk, you can add some. If not, you skip that step.
Tea-Making Algorithm:
- Boil the water
- Place a tea bag in the cup
- Pour hot water over the tea
- Steep the tea
- Add milk (if you want)
That’s an algorithm in action — clear steps, decisions based on conditions, and a goal in mind (a nice cup of tea). Computers work similarly, using if/then logic:
If this happens, then do that. Otherwise, try something else.
How Computers Use Algorithms
A computer will take input (like a search query or a list of emails), follow a sequence of steps to process that information, and give you an output — a result, like a sorted inbox or a recommended video.
So even though “algorithm” might sound like a techy buzzword, it’s just about giving clear instructions to get something done.
Want a simple visual explanation? Our SDM Shorts video breaks it down in under a minute. It’s friendly, quick, and jargon-free!
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