Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The algorithm's efficiency refers to how quickly and effectively it can solve a problem or complete a task. It is determined by the amount of time and resources required for the algorithm to execute.
Related terms
Time complexity: Refers to how long an algorithm takes to run based on the input size.
Space complexity: Refers to the amount of memory or storage space needed by an algorithm to perform its tasks.
Big O notation: A mathematical notation used to describe the upper bound (worst-case scenario) of an algorithm's time or space complexity.