Kids Playground - Let's do some algorithm
Algorithm is not a scary word! It is easy!
Hello kids! Today we are going to write some algorithm.
What is “algorithm” you ask?
It may seem like a big word, but it is just a fancy word for “instructions to be followed to solve a problem.”
Imagine you are sitting in the living room and want a cup of milk. How do you solve the problem of getting the milk? Here is a set of instructions you may want to follow:
Stand up
Walk toward the kitchen
Stop at the refrigerator
Open the refrigerator door
Get the milk
Turn around
Walk towards cup
Get the cup
Pour the milk back into the cup
The set of instruction is your “algorithm” to solving the problem of getting a cup of milk! Simple enough?
Let’s try to write another algorithm. Imagine you live in the city below and you need to get from home to school. What is the set of instruction, or the algorithm, to get to school?
One way to do it may be:
1. Head east on Flower Street
2. If you reach Park Avenue, turn right
3. Head south on Park Avenue
4. If you reach Garden Road, turn left
5. Head east on Garden road until you reach school
There sometimes can be more than one way to solve a problem, so what may be another way for you to get from home to school?
What are some other algorithms you can think of? How about making scrambled egg?
Feel free to leave your "algorithm" to making scrambled egg, or your new way to reach school from home in our comment box!