Table of Contents
Introduction
What is an Algorithm?
Characteristics of Algorithms
Types of Algorithms
4.1 Brute Force Algorithms
4.2 Divide and Conquer
4.3 Greedy Algorithms
4.4 Dynamic Programming
Common Algorithm Examples
5.1 Linear Search
5.2 Binary Search
5.3 Bubble Sort
5.4 Merge Sort
Big-O Notation and Algorithm Efficiency
Case Study 1: Search Algorithms in Online Shopping
Case Study 2: Sorting Algorithms in Social Media Platforms
Applications of Algorithms in Real Life
Conclusion
References
1. Introduction
Algorithms form the foundation of computer science. They are step-by-step
procedures designed to solve problems or perform tasks. From searching data to
encrypting information, algorithms power modern technology.
2. What is an Algorithm?
An algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions that takes input,
processes it, and produces output.
Example (cooking analogy): A recipe is an algorithm for preparing food.
3. Characteristics of Algorithms
Finiteness: Must end after a finite number of steps.
Definiteness: Each step must be clear and unambiguous.
Input: Zero or more inputs are provided.
Output: Produces at least one result.
Effectiveness: Steps must be simple enough to execute.
4. Types of Algorithms
4.1 Brute Force Algorithms
Try all possible solutions until the correct one is found.
Example: Guessing a password by trying every combination.
4.2 Divide and Conquer
Break the problem into smaller sub-problems, solve them, and combine results.
Example: Merge Sort.
4.3 Greedy Algorithms
Make the best local choice at each step in hopes of finding the global optimum.
Example: Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm.
4.4 Dynamic Programming
Breaks problems into overlapping sub-problems, storing results to avoid repetition.
Example: Fibonacci sequence using memoization.
5. Common Algorithm Examples
5.1 Linear Search (Pseudocode)
for i from 1 to n:
if array[i] == target:
return i
return -1
5.2 Binary Search (Pseudocode)
low = 1
high = n
while low <= high:
mid = (low + high) / 2
if array[mid] == target:
return mid
else if array[mid] < target:
low = mid + 1
else:
high = mid - 1
return -1
5.3 Bubble Sort (Pseudocode)
repeat
swapped = false
for i from 1 to n-1:
if array[i] > array[i+1]:
swap(array[i], array[i+1])
swapped = true
until not swapped
5.4 Merge Sort (Concept)
Divide list into halves
Recursively sort each half
Merge sorted halves
6. Big-O Notation and Algorithm Efficiency
O(1): Constant time (array access)
O(n): Linear time (linear search)
O(log n): Logarithmic time (binary search)
O(n²): Quadratic time (bubble sort)
Big-O helps measure algorithm scalability.
7. Case Study 1: Search Algorithms in Online Shopping
E-commerce platforms like Amazon rely on efficient search algorithms to quickly
locate products in massive catalogs.
8. Case Study 2: Sorting Algorithms in Social Media Platforms
Social media feeds use sorting algorithms to organize posts by relevance, time, or
engagement. Merge sort and quicksort concepts influence database indexing.
9. Applications of Algorithms in Real Life
Navigation apps (shortest path)
Data encryption in banking
Recommendation systems (Netflix, YouTube)
Machine learning and AI models
10. Conclusion
Algorithms are the backbone of modern computing. Understanding their structure,
efficiency, and applications helps students, engineers, and researchers design
better solutions for real-world challenges.
11. References
Cormen, T. H., Leiserson, C. E., Rivest, R. L., & Stein, C. Introduction to
Algorithms. MIT Press, 2022.
Kleinberg, J., & Tardos, É. Algorithm Design. Pearson, 2005.
Sedgewick, R., & Wayne, K. Algorithms. Addison-Wesley, 2011.
Dasgupta, S., Papadimitriou, C., & Vazirani, U. Algorithms. McGraw-Hill, 2006.
Knuth, D. E. The Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 1. Addison-Wesley, 2015.
