Definition
A defined, step-by-step procedure or set of rules used to solve a problem or perform a calculation, especially one carried out by a computer or processor.
Plain English
A fixed set of steps that a computer follows, in order, to work something out or get a result.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of avionics, navigation equipment, flight computers, and other aircraft systems that calculate or display information.
Derivation
Comes from the name of the 9th-century Persian mathematician al-Khwārizmī, whose Latinised name became 'algorism.' Originally meant the procedures for doing arithmetic with Arabic numerals. Today it means any defined sequence of steps a machine follows to produce a result.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots rely on algorithms in GPS, autopilots, and engine management systems to ensure accurate and safe flight operations.
Analogy
A recipe is a simple kind of algorithm: follow the steps in order, using the right ingredients, and you should get the intended result.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an algorithm as only computer code. In aviation, it means the rule or step-by-step method a system follows to calculate or decide something.
Example Sentence 1
The GPS receiver uses an algorithm to calculate the aircraft's position from the signals it receives from multiple satellites.
Example Sentence 2
Maintenance software applies an algorithm to predict component wear based on flight hours.