Give an example of a set of steps that conforms to the informal definition of an algorithm given in the opening paragraph of Section 5.1 but does not conform to the formal definition given in Figure 5.1

Example of algorithm

The opening paragraph informally defines an algorithm as a set of steps that define how a task is performed. Figure 5.1 states: An algorithm is an ordered set of unambiguous, executable steps that defines a terminating process".

Consider the following set of steps for preparing tea:

1) Pour water in vessel

2) Add tea leaves

3) Put to boil

The above set of steps conforms to the informal definition in that they are a set of steps that describe a task. But, they do not conform to the formal definition for two reasons: there is ambiguity in each of the steps since it is not mentioned how much water or tea leaves are to be added and there is no termination point since it is not mentioned how long the vessel must be kept to boil.