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Psychology · Chapter 8

Algorithm vs. Heuristic

Unscramble the same five letters in two different ways. An algorithm checks every possible order. It is sure to work, but it is slow. A heuristic is a mental shortcut. It is fast and usually right, but it comes with no promise. Pick a plan. Then step through it or let it run, and watch the number of tries pull apart.

The scramble

Algorithm-
Heuristic-
tries needed to reach the answer
Choose a planthen press Try next ›