Algorithms are one of the four cornerstones of Computer Science. An algorithm is a plan, a set of step-by-step instructions to solve a problem. If you can tie shoelaces, make a cup of tea, get dressed ...

Decomposition is a crucial step for an algorithm to be designed effectively. Once a problem is broken down into smaller steps, it can then be understood much easier, rather than attempting to solve it ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. If you want to solve a tricky problem, it often helps to get organized. You might, for example, break the problem into pieces and tackle ...