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A(n) _______ is a rule of thumb for making decisions that might work well in some instances but is not guaranteed to produce optimal solutions or decisions.

a) Heuristic
b) Algorithm
c) Optimization
d) Regression

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A heuristic is a rule of thumb used as a mental shortcut for making decisions, whereas an algorithm is a precise, step-by-step problem-solving method. Heuristics allow for quicker decision-making but are not guaranteed to be optimal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question is a) Heuristic. A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework or a mental shortcut that helps in making decisions quickly. Heuristics can be beneficial when speed is more valuable than accuracy, because they don't guarantee the most optimal or error-free outcome. On the other hand, an algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that leads to a definite solution. Unlike heuristics, if an algorithm is followed correctly, it will always produce the correct result.

Examples of heuristics in decision-making include the availability heuristic, where decisions are made based on information that comes to mind easily, and the anchoring bias, where an initial piece of information is used as a reference point for making judgments.

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