Computer programs are written with a series of steps. An algorithm is that series or the order in which the computer performs the steps.
A story is also a sort of algorithm. In INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED the three young women, Betty, Jean and Kay wanted to be mathematicians and, later, more specifically, computer programmers. To accomplish that goal they studied, applied for a job as a “human computer” and worked very hard. They were specially selected to work on the ENIAC project. By using logic and mathematics they were able to enter complicated problems into the computer and commanded it to solve them.
The Algorithm Game is a fun way to use a story to learn about algorithms. Download a free PDF for The Algorithm Game here.
