I can say that $x * y$ is a problem, but also I can say that $x * y$ is an algorithm for finding the area of rectangle.I been reading Wikipedia about an algorithm and a problem, but I am not sure about their definitions. Could you please explain it to me in more detail?
What is the difference between a problem and an algorithm?
algorithms;terminology
What is the product of $x$ and $y$? is a problem, and it might model or correspond to the problem of calculating the area of a rectangle. However, how do you actually compute $x \times y$? An algorithm, informally a precise list of steps to take, for doing this would be some multiplication algorithm.Another example, from your favorite world of satisfiability is the following problem.Instance: a 2-CNF formula $\phi$. Question: Is the formula $\phi$ satisfiable?A method of deciding the problem is an algorithm, such as the truth table method (or a polynomial-time algorithm, such as the ones on Wikipedia).