Problem Detail: I can say that $x * y$ is a problem, but also I can say that $x * y$ is an algorithm for finding the area of rectangle. I been reading Wikipedia about an algorithm and a problem, but I am not sure about their definitions. Could you please explain it to me in more detail?
Asked By : Ilya_Gazman
Answered By : Juho
“What is the product of $x$ and $y$?” is a problem, and it might model or correspond to the problem of calculating the area of a rectangle. However, how do you actually compute $x times y$? An algorithm, informally a precise list of steps to take, for doing this would be some multiplication algorithm. Another example, from your favorite world of satisfiability is the following problem.
Instance: a 2-CNF formula $phi$. Question: Is the formula $phi$ satisfiable?
A method of deciding the problem is an algorithm, such as the truth table method (or a polynomial-time algorithm, such as the ones on Wikipedia).
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Question Source : http://cs.stackexchange.com/questions/18717
