Patterns in Everyday Life

You already think algorithmically, programming just makes it explicit

Here's something most courses don't tell you: you already know algorithms.
An algorithm is just a step-by-step procedure to solve a problem. You use algorithms every day without realising it.

Everyday algorithms you already know:

Sorting laundry = categorisation algorithm (sort by colour, fabric, owner)

A recipe = sequential algorithm (do A, then B, then C in order)

Making change = greedy algorithm (use largest coins first)

Finding a book in a library = search algorithm (use the index, go to section, scan shelf)

Planning a road trip = optimisation algorithm (shortest route, fewest stops)

When you learn to program, you're not learning to think algorithmically from scratch. You're learning to express what you already think in a language a computer understands.

🤔Quick Check

A recipe is most similar to which type of algorithm?

🤔Quick Check

When you scan a sorted list of names to find "Smith", you are using a:

🤔Quick Check

Which of these contains a LOOP (repeating action)?

Practice Exercises

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Exercise 1 of 1easy

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Algorithm Identifier

Match each task to its algorithm type by printing the answers.
Expected output (exactly):Task 1: sequentialTask 2: searchTask 3: loop

solution.py

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