Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: An algorithm
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
At the heart of computing and problem solving is the concept of an algorithm. Whether implemented in code, executed manually, or realized with hardware, algorithms provide the unambiguous sequence of operations that transforms inputs into outputs within a finite time.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
An algorithm is a finite, effective procedure: every step is well-defined, and the process halts with an answer for valid inputs. This differs from a permutation (a reordering), arithmetic logic (a hardware concept for basic operations), and a geometric model (a representation, not a procedure). Algorithms underpin sorting, path planning, image processing, control logic, and more.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the required properties: unambiguous steps, correctness, and termination.Eliminate terms that describe data/structures (permutation, geometric model) or hardware functions (arithmetic logic).Select “algorithm” as the precise term.
Verification / Alternative check:
Classic examples (Euclid’s GCD, Dijkstra’s shortest path) illustrate finite, mechanical procedures producing results from inputs.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Permutation is an outcome, not a procedure. Arithmetic logic is a functional unit, not a step sequence. A geometric model describes shape, not computation steps.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing heuristics (may not guarantee correctness/termination) with algorithms (must be definitive and terminating).
Final Answer:
An algorithm.
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