Final answer:
Algorithms are the steps that tell a computer what to do. They provide step-by-step instructions to achieve a desired outcome and are used in various applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The steps that tell a computer what to do are called algorithms. An algorithm is a problem-solving formula that provides step-by-step instructions to achieve a desired outcome. It is like a recipe with highly detailed instructions that produce the same result every time they are performed. Algorithms are used in various applications, such as search engine results and social media feeds.