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Algorithm - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Algorism \Al"go*rism\,Algorithm : \Al"go*rithm\, n. [OE.
algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf.
Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar.
al-Khow[=a]rezm[=i] of Khow[=a]rezm, the modern Khiwa,
surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Mus[=a], author of a work
on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated
into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The
spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. ?
number.]
1. The art of calculating by nine figures and zero.
2. The art of calculating with any species of notation; as,
the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Algorithm :
A detailed sequence of actions to
perform to accomplish some task. Named after an Iranian
mathematician, Al-Khawarizmi.
Technically, an algorithm must reach a result after a finite
number of steps, thus ruling out brute force search methods
for certain problems, though some might claim that brute force
search was also a valid (generic) algorithm. The term is also
used loosely for any sequence of actions (which may or may not
terminate).
Paul E. Black's Dictionary of Algorithms, Data Structures,
http://www.nist.gov/dads/)">and Problems (http://www.nist.gov/dads/).
(2002-02-05)
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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