The Lincoln Academy

T. Jose Palacios

Valentina Vargas and Annelise Quiróz

8c

Literature

The History of Algorithms

October 9th, 2024

The History of Algorithms

introduction
An algorithm is a sequence of steps or a set of rules designed to arrive at a
solution to a problem. People use algorithms on a daily basis in performing
various activities such as cooking or mathematics. Even so, the word
algorithm has been in existence for centuries and its evolution has
progressed to the level of instruments that are found in current computers
and technology. The objectives of this research will shed light on the
transition of algorithms from the ancient period to the present day.

Ancient Times

The term “algorithm” was derived from the name of a Persian mathematician
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who lived from 780 A.D- 850 A.D. He
authored a book about arithmetic providing procedures to obtain the
answers to equations. This is one of the earliest examples of an algorithm as
one which involves a sequence of steps toward the solution of a problem. As
for the word, it is derived from the Latin version of this same name.

It may also not escape one’s thinking but that al-Khwarizmi was not the first
individual to come up with the algorithms in a simple form. For instance,
ancient Egypt and the Gulf civilizations around 2000 BCE used simple
techniques for practical activities like land measurement and construction of
calendars. No, they were not called algorithms, but step by step plans to
complete a task were present and were used.

Greek Insight: Euclid's Algorithm

One of the prominent figures in the history of mathematics, Euclid, is known

for
developing one of the first well-known algorithms around 300 BCE. It is called
Euclid’s algorithm, and it is used to find the greatest common divisor of two
numbers. The GCD is the greatest number that can measure two other
different numbers perfectly. The Euclidean algorithm is a mathematical
technique that is still used.

This is how Euclid’s algorithm works.

For example, you can take 48 and 18.

Take the bigger number and reduce it by the smaller number (48 - 18 = 30).

Do this manual process repeating over and over again, all results will come
down to one being zero. The other one remaining is produced by our
operation, what we call the GCD.

This simple computer program is one of the first instances of a stepwise

approach to performing a given task that was often used in addressing
mathematical challenges.

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance

In their attempt to advance century-old civilizations in the Medieval Ages and

the Islamic Side, the architects of the algorithms have achieved great
synthesis in Europe. In 1202 one Italian mathematician, later named
Fibonacci, Arithmetics Leonar. In this one, which is familiar now as a
Fibonacci sequence, every number in the series is obtained by adding the
two preceding ones. The series of the numbers starts from 0 and 1.

The series of numbers in this example starts with: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21... In

other words, each successive number is the sum of the previous two
numbers, this way - are added (1+1=2, 2+3=5, etc.)

Fibonacci series can be observed in a lot of common things such as the

pattern of leaves and even in the spiral structure of some seashells.

A Surprising Sentence: Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace

Another milestone in schematic logic design came with Charles Babbage and
Lovelace Ada in the 19th century. In the 1830s, Charles Babbage, a British
mathematician, designed a steam powered mechanical computer also called
an Analytical Engine. Even though the machine was never constructed while
he was alive, somehow it was among the first designs of a computer which
was capable of working step by step to complete assigned tasks.

Ada Lovelace, who was also a mathematician, collaborated with him and is
regarded as the world’s first programmer. She believed Babbage’s machine
was more than a giant calculator; it could reckon a process and implement it
as set out. In 1843 she composed algorithms thought to be the first where it
has been designed for use in a machine.

The 20th Century: The Development of Modern Computers

As the horizontal time line moved front to the head of the 20th century,
constructive thinking resulted in the treatment of the algorithms by
mathematicians and scientists. In this context, two names stand out: Alan
Turingandy and John von Neumann.

Turing Alan:
- In 1936, Turing, a mathematician from Britain, presented the notion of a
Turing Machine that could carry out all manners of computation, the
algorithm. This idea is at the heart of modern computers. Turing’s insight
was instrumental in realizing the concept of a universality machine that is
capable of solving any problem provided an appropriate algorithm is
supplied.

John von Neumann:

- Von Neumann was the first person to come up with the concepts of storing
instructions and data in 1945 in a form of computers broadly called von
Neumann architecture that is still adopted today. With this structure, it was
possible to manipulate the computer, by keeping data and instructions in its
memory. He also contributed to the emergence of computer programming as
it is today.

The Digital Age: Algorithms in the 20th and 21st Centuries

The growth of computers led to the advancement of algorithm design. In the

period at the center of the 20th century, programming languages such as
Fortran and COBOL were indeed created for the purpose of writing
algorithms for computers. It was the decade of the sixties, and one of the
key algorithms developed at that time was called QuickSort. QuickSort is an
efficient sorting algorithm and it is still widely in use.

So, in the present century, algorithms are an integral part of all technologies.
They find application in artificial intelligence, machine learning, as well as in
data processing. With the help of these algorithms, computers have begun
doing challenging tasks such as facial recognition, weather forecasting, and
driving. Algorithms have seeped in and form the very basis on which
technology today stands.

Why are algorithms important?

- Algorithms are critical because they enable the completion of tasks more
effectively and efficiently by providing an ordered sequence of operations.
They are applied in most areas of daily and technological activities. Some are
as follows:

Search Engines: Algorithms come in handy in engines like Google wherein

when one types in a word, only the most relevant websites are displayed.
This is due to some algorithms that help in sorting billions of websites in a
short period which is otherwise not possible.

Social Media: Media platforms especially Instagram or TikTok showcase

varying content to a user depending on their preferences including content
liked or engaged with by them and their general interactions.

GPS Navigation: When navigated using GPS, algorithms are then used to
trace the fastest or shortest route from one location to another based on
factors such as traffic and distance or even road constructions.

Online Shopping: The program of the web pages also incorporates the history
of browsing the user and informs the user of different products which he
might be interested in as well.

Medical Diagnosis: Algorithms find their use in healthcare too where

doctors/facilities scan a patient to ascertain the illness and frame or assist in
forming the particular treatment methods to apply to that patient.

This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the situations where
efficiency is increased by the introduction of algorithms in routine activities
or tasks.

conclusion
Due to the fact that there have always been tangible structures and devices
that need ‘algorithms’ to be engaged, these structures have always included
the introductory years on hook sangh and these cannot be overlooked. As
seen above, this is a domain of the public which has a history that narrows
down to the art thought when dealing with construction. They aid in the
utilization of the power of search engines, social media, navigation, e-
marketing, and even medicine in enabling the swift and efficient
performance of even the most intricate and sophisticated tasks. Due to
continuous growth, it is quite obvious that the demand for algorithms is
going to be at its peak so also is the case on how we engage with the digital
present and future. This makes it easier for people to learn how to engage
with potentially dangerous technologies and what helps these technologies
properly developed and used in such a complex society.