What exactly is an algorithm? Algorithms explained | BBC Ideas

An algorithm is like a recipe that tells you exactly how to make something, but instead of cookies or cake, it helps computers solve problems.

Imagine you're trying to find your favorite toy in a messy room. You might look under the bed first, then check inside the closet, and finally search on the floor. That’s like an algorithm, a step-by-step plan that helps you find what you’re looking for, even when things are jumbled up.

Think of an algorithm as your friend who gives you clear instructions to get from one place to another. If you're lost in a city, your friend might say: “Turn left at the park, then go straight until you see a red building.” That’s just like how computers use algorithms, they follow directions exactly so they can do things like send messages, play games, or even help robots move around!

Every time you use a phone, ride an elevator, or sort your toys by color, you're using something that works like an algorithm, it’s just hiding in the background, doing its job quietly and quickly.