Introduction to Algorithms

CSBP119 – Algorithms & Problem Solving

Chapter 1
What is an • A finite sequence of well-defined
step-by-step instructions to solve
Algorithm? a given problem
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What can a computer do?

Input Process Output

CPU & Main Memory

http://math.hws.edu/javanotes/c1/s1.html
Exercises
• Write an algorithm for calculating
the area of a rectangle

• Write an algorithm for calculating

the average of 5 test scores. 
 Exercise
• Calculate the square root of a given number if it's
positive. Otherwise display an error message. 
 Exercise
• Suppose the cost of sending a fax is as follows:
o  Service charge: $3 
o  $0.20 per page for the first 10 pages
o  $0.10 for each additional page
• Write an algorithm that calculates and displays
the cost of sending a fax, given the number of
pages. 
 Exercise
• Write an algorithms that finds the largest of 4
given numbers
Think about this … 

• Given an unknown value, X, how can we

figure out if it's an odd or even number?
• An even number is a multiple of 2
• When we divide X by 2, we get a whole
number
• e.g.  8/2 is 4  but 7/2  is 3.5
Modulo 
• The modulo operation (or mod) returns the remainder
of division
• Examples:
    7 mod 2  is 1
    3 mod 2 is 1
    2 mod 2 is 0
    4 mod 2 is 0
• In programming languages, we use % for mod (e.g.7%2)
Exercise
• Given the time in 24-hour format, how can we covert
it to 12-hour format?

• Example: if the hour is 18, we want to convert it to 6

Repetition
• What is a loop?
• A piece of code that runs repeatedly
• Going back “up” in the program
Exercise
• Write an algorithm that finds the maximum of 100 given numbers. 

• Solution:
1. Read a number and store it in max
2. Repeat the following 99 times:
a) Read a number and store it in X
b) If X > max then max =x
3. Display max