Changes

An '''algorithm''' is a procedure for carrying out a task which, given an initial state, will terminate in a clearly defined end-state. It can be thought of as a recipe, or a step-by-step method, so that in following the steps of the algorithm you are guaranteed to find the solution or the answer. The name is derived from a corruption of [[Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī|Al-Khwārizmī]], the Persian astronomer and mathematician, wrote a treatise in Arabic in 825 AD, entitled: ''On Calculation with Hindu Numerals''. This was translated into Latin in 12th century as ''Algoritmi de numero Indorum'' <ref> see [http://www.answers.com/topic/muhammad-ibn-musa-al-khwarizmi|Algoritmi de numero Indorum] </ref>. The title translates as "Al-Khwārizmī on the numbers of the Indians", with ''Algoritmi'' being the translator's rendition of the original author's name in Arabic. Later writers misunderstood the title, and  treated ''Algoritmi'' as a Latin plural of the neologism ''Algoritmus'' or ''Algorithmus'', and took its meaning as 'calculation method'. In the Middle Ages there were many variants on this, such as  alkorisms, algorisms, algorhythms etc.

An '''algorithm''' is a procedure for carrying out a task which, given an initial state, will terminate in a clearly defined end-state. It can be thought of as a recipe, or a step-by-step method, so that in following the steps of the algorithm you are guaranteed to find the solution or the answer. The name is derived from a corruption of [[Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī|Al-Khwārizmī]], the Persian astronomer and mathematician, wrote a treatise in Arabic in 825 AD, entitled: ''On Calculation with Hindu Numerals''. This was translated into Latin in 12th century as ''Algoritmi de numero Indorum'' The title translates as "Al-Khwārizmī on the numbers of the Indians", with ''Algoritmi'' being the translator's rendition of the original author's name in Arabic. Later writers misunderstood the title, and  treated ''Algoritmi'' as a Latin plural of the neologism ''Algoritmus'' or ''Algorithmus'', and took its meaning as 'calculation method'. In the Middle Ages there were many variants on this, such as  alkorisms, algorisms, algorhythms etc.

There are two main current usages:  

There are two main current usages: