[Introduction to Algorithms, CLRS] Exercise 1.2-1

This is a solution for Introduction to Algorithms. I write this for my study purpose.

1.2-1 Give an example of an application that requires algorithmic content at the application level, and discuss the function of the algorithms involved.

Answer:

1. Search engine requires algorithmic optimization of natural language processing (NLP) to determine the probability that someone will type 'give an example of an application that requires algorithmic content at the application level' and display solution manuals for CLRS's Introduction to Algorithms since that's what most people would search for when they type that phrase in.

2. Google maps directions require specific constraints and assumptions based on traffic flow, main traffic arteries, any alerts/accidents/delays, etc. to determine the path of least but efficient distance between two points.

3. Battery usage must be balanced with memory footprint, so you could design a self-learning method to allow the phone to optimize usage at peak times of the day that you use the phone and silence or limit memory usage to keep the battery charged

4. Sprinklebit, Acorn, and other micro-financing apps allow users to invest at very small amounts. These companies can collate this data and create an algorithm to decide the interest levels amongst its users and funnel this data into behind-the-scenes charts for company advertisers to monitor.

5. Real estate company apps like Trulia, Redfin, Zillow, etc. use Favorite/Decline buttons to categorize interest levels, which seed an algorithm to funnel certain users to those Favorite/Decline houses and force more users to look at those houses. Or they could use the non-Favorite/Decline data and occasionally pop up on the new user every few days to ensure there's a healthy observation of these not-so-popular houses.

source: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/29982638/give-an-example-of-an-application-that-requires-algorithmic-content-at-the-appli