algorithms2

Question 1

What are the six types of algorithms classified by problem-solving approach?

Answer 1

Iterative, Recursive (direct/indirect), Divide-and-Conquer, Dynamic Programming, Randomised, and Brute-Force

Question 2

What are the defining traits of a good algorithm step?

Answer 2

Unambiguous, effective, and terminates in finite time

Question 3

What can the GCD problem teach us about algorithms?

Answer 3

That the same problem can be solved using multiple algorithms with different complexities and ideas.

Question 4

Why don’t we use clock time to measure algorithm efficiency?

Answer 4

It’s influenced by hardware, language, compiler, and environmental factors — not a fair basis for comparison

Question 5

What is the RAM Model of computation?

Answer 5

A theoretical machine where each basic operation (e.g., addition, assignment) takes one time unit — used for analysing algorithms objectively.

Question 6

What is a basic operation in algorithm analysis?

Answer 6

The most time-consuming operation in the innermost loop — e.g., comparisons in sorting.