ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Exponential algorithm

So, imagine you are playing a game where you start with one penny and every day you earn double the amount of pennies you had the previous day. On the first day you would have 1 penny, on the second day you would have 2 pennies, on the third day you would have 4 pennies, and so on. This is an example of exponential growth.

An exponential algorithm is a type of math equation that grows exponentially, like the penny game. It involves taking a number and repeatedly multiplying it by itself, over and over again, until it becomes really big. The more you repeat this process, the faster the number grows.

The thing with exponential algorithms is that they can become very large very quickly, which is why they can be both useful and dangerous. For example, in computer science, algorithms that grow exponentially can be really useful in certain calculations, but they can also slow down computer programs and cause them to crash.

In summary, an exponential algorithm is a math equation that grows really fast and can be both helpful and harmful depending on how it's used.
Related topics others have asked about: