What is the primary characteristic of a divide-and-conquer algorithm?

The primary characteristic of a divide-and-conquer algorithm is that it systematically breaks a problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems. This approach involves three main steps: dividing the original problem into smaller sub-problems, solving each of those sub-problems independently, and then combining the results of the sub-problems to obtain the final solution.

This characteristic is fundamental to the efficiency and effectiveness of many algorithms that utilize this strategy, such as Merge Sort and Quick Sort. By dividing the problem, the algorithm can tackle each part individually, which often leads to a more efficient solution compared to trying to solve the problem as a whole. The ability to break down complex problems into simpler components is a key advantage, as it allows for easier analysis, implementation, and optimization of the solution.