A methodical step-by-step procedure that if followed correctly guarantees a solution to a problem.

• A. Algorithm
• B. Heuristic
• C. Representativeness Heuristic
• D. Mental Set

Answer: (A)

This describes an algorithm. It’s a precise, finite sequence of well-defined instructions that, when followed exactly, leads to a solution for any input within the problem’s rules. The key is that each step is clear and executable, and the process will terminate with the correct result if the algorithm is appropriate for the problem and applied correctly. That guarantee of a correct outcome is what sets an algorithm apart.

A heuristic, by contrast, is a rule of thumb used to speed up problem solving, but it doesn’t promise a solution in every case. The representativeness heuristic is a specific mental shortcut people use for judging probabilities, not a general problem-solving procedure. A mental set is a cognitive bias where you stick to familiar strategies, which can keep you from finding better solutions. So the step-by-step, guarantee-of-result description points to an algorithm.