Your secret weapon to understanding—and using!—one of the most powerful influences in the world today

From your Facebook News Feed to your most recent insurance premiums—even making toast!—algorithms play a role in virtually everything that happens in modern society and in your personal life. And while they can seem complicated from a distance, the reality is that, with a little help, anyone can understand—and even use—these powerful problem-solving tools!

In Algorithms For Dummies, you'll discover the basics of algorithms, including what they are, how they work, where you can find them (spoiler alert: everywhere!), who invented the most important ones in use today (a Greek philosopher is involved), and how to create them yourself.

You'll also find:

• Dozens of graphs and charts that help you understand the inner workings of algorithms
• Links to an online repository called GitHub for constant access to updated code
• Step-by-step instructions on how to use Google Colaboratory, a zero-setup coding environment that runs right from your browser

Whether you're a curious internet user wondering how Google seems to always know the right answer to your question or a beginning computer science student looking for a head start on your next class, Algorithms For Dummies is the can't-miss resource you've been waiting for.

John Mueller has published more than 100 books on technology, data, and programming. John has a website and blog where he writes articles on technology and offers assistance alongside his published books.

Luca Massaron is a data scientist specializing in insurance and finance. A Google Developer Expert in machine learning, he has been involved in quantitative analysis and algorithms since 2000.