ALGORITHM - MEANING

ALGORITHM MEANING In the most basic sense, an algorithm is a process- a set of detailed instruction that must be carried out in a particular order and follows logic to attain a given result. An algorithm is a well-defined procedure or set of rules guaranteed to achieve a certain objective. You use an algorithm every time you follow the directions to put together a new toy, use a recipe to make cookies, or defrost something in the microwave (personal algorithms). When the term algorithm used in math, it typically refers to a set of steps or procedures used to solve a mathematical computation. In mathematics, an algorithm is a specific series of steps that will give you the correct answer every time. For example, in grade school, you and your classmates probably learned and memorized a certain finite steps or procedures for addition, subtraction and multiplying etc. (standard algorithms). Algorithm are of two type: informal (personal) and formal (standard) algorithm. An informal algorithm is a procedure that the student him/herself figured out while a formal algorithm is a process and procedure that has been taught to them. It may or may not be similar to a conventional algorithms (formal algorithms). Examples on Informal Algorithms Examples on Formal Algorithms 1. ADD the given numbers 109 + 207 Jimmy did like this. David did like this. =100+9+200+7 109-9=100 =300+16 207-7=200 =316 200+100=300 9+7=16 300+16=316 2. Multiply the given number 25Ãâ€"13 25(20+5) x13(10+3) ————– 15 60 50 + 200 ————— 325 1. ADD the given numbers 109+207 1 109 + 207 ——– 316 ——– 2. Multiply the given number 25Ãâ€"13 1 25 x13 ———— 75 +25x ———— 325 MERITS OF INFORMAL ALGORITHMS They learn to think and use their common sense, as well as new skills and knowledge. Students who invent their own procedures: Learn that their intuitive methods are valid and that mathematics makes sense. Become more proficient with mental arithmetic. Are motivated because they understand their own methods, as opposed to learning by rote. Become skilled at representing ideas with objects, words, pictures, and symbols. Develop persistence and confidence in dealing with challenging problems. ADVANTAGES OF THE FORMAL ALGORITHMS Plunkett (1979), Thompson (1997), Usiskin (1998) and other writers offered several reasons for this. These included :  ¢ Standard algorithms are powerful in solving classes of problems, particularly where the computation involves many numbers, where memory may be overloaded.  ¢ Standard algorithms contracted, summarizing several lines of equation involving distributivity and associativity.  ¢ Standard algorithms are automatic, being able to be taught to, and carried out by, someone without having to analyze the underlying basis of the algorithm.  ¢ Standard algorithms are fast, with a direct route to the answer.  ¢ Standard algorithms provide the written record of computation, enabling teachers and students to locate any errors in the algorithm.  ¢ Standard algorithms can be instructive.  ¢ For teachers these are easy to manage and assess. DISADVANTAGES OF THE FORMAL ALGORITHMS Kamii and Dominick (1998), McIntosh (1998), and Northcote McIntosh (1999) have potential dangers that can be summarized as follows :  ¢ They do not correspond to the ways in which people tend to think about numbers.  ¢ They encourage children to give up their own thinking and creativity, leading to loss of ownership of ideas .  ¢ The traditionally-taught (standard) algorithm may no longer be the most efficient and easily learned.  ¢ They tend to lead to blind acceptance of results and over-zealous applications. Given the focus on procedures that require little thinking, children often use an standard algorithms when it is not at all necessary.  ¢ There is a high probability that the students will lose conceptual knowledge in the process of gaining procedural knowledge. There is also the use of relevance. Students use standard algorithms for only a small proportion of their calculation.

Marketing Audits Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Marketing Audits - Coursework Example Changing perspectives in marketing planning for Parcelforce The age of globalisation and competition has spurred up the need to ensure more planning and effective strategies in order to counter the threats of competition prevailing in the markets. Business environment in the present date is characterised by cut throat competition among the market players that are engaged in attaching strategies like predatory pricing and ambush marketing to attack competitors. The industry due to high competition is characterised by low margins that has severely changed the business dynamics and has also ensured change in marketing planning tactics so as to ensure sustainability in the market (Global Express Parcels, 2011, p.1). Parcelforce Appraisal for capability for planning its future marketing activity Parcelforce is one of the largest courier and parcel delivery companies operating out of UK and has operations in numerous nations with a cutting edge technology and an effective service delivery mechanism. The company should use its technological advancements and the good brand image of the company owning to its long association with the industry to derive competitive advantage. The company should try to use its massive global presence and couple it with innovation in service delivery mechanism so as to generate competitive advantage.... The company should use its technological advancements and the good brand image of the company owning to its long association with the industry to derive competitive advantage. The company should try to use its massive global presence and couple it with innovation in service delivery mechanism so as to generate competitive advantage. All its marketing efforts must not only be solely directed towards attracting new customers but focus should be made on CRM approaches that can help in not only attracting new customers but also in retention of the existing customers. The efficient technological base of the company along with a team of qualified and talented employees can help generate greater value for the customers. Spending must also be induced in the research and development aspect so as to generate innovation as it is the only way in which the company can distinguish itself from its competitors in the market and generate competitive advantage. SWOT Analysis SWOT stands for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats and is used to analyse the internal environment of an organization. The SWOT analysis for Parcelforce is stated below: Strengths The main area of strength for the company includes its long association with the industry as well as a formidable presence across UK. The company also has an effective brand image and has been associated with the royal mail service. Strengths also emerge in the areas of efficient use of technology and effective logistics management and also a good reputation for quality service delivery among the customers (Parcelforce, 2012). Weakness Certain areas of weakness for the company include a limited offering to the customers that is matched

The Warning Video about Financial Crisis Movie Review

The Warning Video about Financial Crisis - Movie Review Example The move to have the unregulated derivative fund regulated was countered by the introduction of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, which then took away the power of Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal agency that oversees the trading of derivatives, thus making it impossible for the over-the-counter derivatives market to be regulated (Kirk, n.p.). Although the CFTC is meant to play the role of government oversight in the financial market operations, the attempts by the agency to have the derivative market regulated were thwarted by the closest administrators of President Clinton, who argued that an attempt to regulative the lucrative multi-million dollar market would certainly cause a financial crisis, while in reality it is the deniability of the administrators to act on the fundamental aspects that would have helped prevent the crisis, that ended-up blocking the necessary financial reforms that would have streamlined the financial markets, as proposed by the CFTC (Kirk, n.p.). The major problem with the over-the-counter derivatives market is that; it was operating as a black market, and thus lacked transparency. This way, the operations of the markets were able to continue undercover, until when the market collapsed, triggering a depression of the financial market and the consequent recession of the USA economy (Kirk, n.p.). While the Commodity Futures Trading Commission was empowered to regulate the trading of derivatives in the market, the powerful administrators in the Clinton administration stripped the agency those powers, through imploring on the Congress to pass the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, which took away the powers of the agency to control the derivative market, thus leaving the market to care for itself (Kirk, n.p.).  Ã‚