What is a series of steps followed to solve a problem called?

The correct answer is that a series of steps followed to solve a problem is called an algorithm. An algorithm is a well-defined procedure or set of rules that provides a systematic way to achieve a particular goal, especially in mathematics and computer science. It outlines the specific steps to take, often in a sequential manner, to arrive at a solution or reach a desired outcome.

In contrast, a procedure refers to a broader concept that simply indicates a course of action taken to accomplish something but does not necessarily imply a systematic approach as seen in algorithms. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that is testable through experimentation or observation, and it does not deal with a sequence of steps to solve a problem. Methodology is a broader term that encompasses the principles and procedures of inquiry or the systematic study of methods, which may include algorithms but is not exclusively focused on step-by-step solutions to a specific problem. Thus, the term "algorithm" specifically captures the essence of a structured set of steps for problem-solving.