Topic 3.2: Algorithms Questions

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a taxi company using an algorithm to assign rides to its drivers.

A smart thermostat follows an algorithm: it reads the room temperature every minute and switches the heating on if the room is colder than the setting. Identify **two** components of this algorithm.

A council's housing tool uses a decision tree. One condition asks: “Has the applicant lived in the town for more than three years?” Explain how using this condition could result in some applicants in real need being rejected.

Explain **three** concerns about a university using an algorithm to decide which applicants are offered an interview.

A job-matching platform converts each jobseeker's CV into a profile of skill scores. To what extent is it acceptable for a jobseeker to be represented by a set of data points?

Explain **one** reason why an algorithm being unambiguous matters for the people it affects.

Explain **one** reason why a **condition** in an algorithm is a decision somebody made.

With reference to Source A, analyse the writer's claim that filtering is “the cruel one”.

Identify the **three** basic components from which algorithms are built.

Explain **one** reason why responsibility is hard to locate when an algorithm causes harm.

Outline **one** dilemma raised by the use of algorithms in decision-making.

With reference to Source A, explain **one** reason why a threshold in a filter deserves particular scrutiny.

Identify **two** operations an algorithm can perform on a list of people.

Identify **two** of the basic components from which algorithms are built.

Explain **three** concerns about using an algorithm to decide who is invited for health screening.

Define the term **algorithm**.

With reference to Source A, analyse why invisible decisions are harder to govern than visible ones.

Identify **two** properties that make a set of instructions an algorithm rather than a general description.

Identify **two** ways an algorithm can be represented.

Identify **two** uses of algorithms in digital systems.