What term best describes a step-by-step set of instructions to solve a problem?

What term best describes a step-by-step set of instructions to solve a problem?

• A. Algorithm
• B. Pseudocode
• C. Flowchart
• D. Analysis

Answer: (A)

An algorithm is a precise, finite sequence of well-defined steps that, when followed, solves a problem and produces a result. The key idea is that the steps are clear and unambiguous, so anyone following them gets the same outcome every time. The steps must cover the necessary cases and may include loops or conditionals, but they always terminate after a limited number of steps. Pseudocode describes those steps in a readable text form, and a flowchart shows the same sequence graphically, while analysis evaluates how efficiently the steps run rather than defining them.

An algorithm is a precise, finite sequence of well-defined steps that, when followed, solves a problem and produces a result. The key idea is that the steps are clear and unambiguous, so anyone following them gets the same outcome every time. The steps must cover the necessary cases and may include loops or conditionals, but they always terminate after a limited number of steps. Pseudocode describes those steps in a readable text form, and a flowchart shows the same sequence graphically, while analysis evaluates how efficiently the steps run rather than defining them.