Final answer:
Saffron experienced insight when she found a solution to an algebra problem that was previously puzzling her. Insight is a spontaneous cognitive event that often leads to solving a problem, unlike an algorithm which is a step-by-step instruction or a heuristic which is a mental shortcut.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Saffron suddenly finds a solution to a previously puzzling algebra problem, what Saffron has experienced is best described as insight. This phenomenon is when a person suddenly and often unexpectedly solves a problem or understands an issue that was previously unclear. In cognitive psychology, insight is closely related to an 'aha' moment or an epiphany, where the solution seems to appear out of nowhere after a period of contemplation or even when one's mind is on other things.
A mental shortcut, often used for problem-solving when an immediate solution isn't obvious, is called a heuristic. A heuristic is more of an educated guess or rule-of-thumb strategy that might not always lead to a correct solution but is a quick way to approach complex problems.
On the other hand, an algorithm is a step-by-step problem-solving formula that provides specific, detailed instructions to achieve a desired outcome, much like a recipe. While insight is a more spontaneous and less structured occurrence in problem-solving, an algorithm is a predetermined set of instructions like the ones we might find in mathematics or computer programming.