Final answer:
The brute force search is an exhaustive search method that tries every possible solution, whereas combinatorial explosion refers to the rapid growth of possible solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brute force search, also known as an exhaustive search, is a problem-solving method that involves trying every possible solution until the correct one is found. It is a simple and straightforward approach but can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Combinatorial explosion refers to the rapid growth in the number of possible solutions as the size of the problem increases. This explosion of possibilities can make it increasingly difficult to find the optimal solution using brute force search.