This algorithmic paradigm involves breaking a large problem into smaller sub-problems, solving them, and combining the results.

The Three Stages:

1. Divide: Break the problem into sub-problems of the same type.
2. Conquer: Solve the sub-problems recursively. If they are small enough, solve them directly.
3. Combine: Merge the solutions of the sub-problems to get the final solution.

Java Implementation: Finding the Sum using Divide and Conquer

public class DivideConquerExample {
    public static int sum(int[] arr, int start, int end) {
        // Base Case: Only one element
        if (start == end) {
            return arr[start];
        }

        // Divide
        int mid = (start + end) / 2;

        // Conquer (Recursive calls)
        int leftSum = sum(arr, start, mid);
        int rightSum = sum(arr, mid + 1, end);

        // Combine
        return leftSum + rightSum;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int[] data = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6};
        System.out.println("Total Sum: " + sum(data, 0, data.length - 1));
    }
}