Curated OER
Given travel restrictions, find the shortest path
For this word problem worksheet, students solve one word problem by finding the shortest route following certain restrictions. The fully worked out solution using a tree diagram is provided at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Find the Shortest Distance
In this problem solving worksheet students solve two problems regarding finding the shortest route. One problem is finding the shortest linear length given dimensions and the other problem is finding the shortest route as defined as the...
Curated OER
Shortest Path
High schoolers explore an application of definite integrals. They graph three functions that go through the same three points. Learners use the symbolic capacity of their calculators to find the shortest path through the three points and...
Curated OER
Finding the Shortest Total Distance possible
In this geometry worksheet, students solve the problem of finding the shortest total distance traveling in straight lines. The solution is provided.
Computer Science Unplugged
Ice Roads–Steiner Trees
As an introduction to Steiner Trees, class members are challenged to find the shortest paths to connect multiple points. The teacher introduces the problem by showing how to connect three points. Groups then go outside and construct a...
Scholastic
Escape from Antcatraz
An incarcerated ant needs help escaping from Antcatraz. Primary graders abet his escape by creating a path through the anthill to freedom.
Computer Science Unplugged
The Muddy City—Minimal Spanning Trees
What is the most efficient way to ensure everyone is connected? Individual pupils determine the least expensive route to pave roads in a fictional city. In doing so, they learn to find the minimal spanning tree for the situation. They...
101 Questions
Rotonda West, FL
The shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line—or is it? Young scholars determine the shortest route either along a circular path or through the center of the circle. Learners gain a unique perspective on arc length and...
Curated OER
Travel Problems
This worksheet is actually an entire chapter focused on math problems involving, shortest path, minimum connector, traveling salesman, and Chinese postman problems. There are multiple activities, exercises, and examples to get students...
Curated OER
The Spider and the Fly
Students investigate maxima and minima by finding the shortest distance. In this calculus lesson, students calculate the shortest distance a bug travels to get to the other side of the tv. They analyze their findings discussing minimum...
Curated OER
Networks: Distances
In this networks worksheet, students solve 10 problems in which they calculate the shortest driving route between two cities. This page is intended to be an online activity, but can be completed on paper.
Illustrative Mathematics
Satellite
Learners practice relating rules of trigonometry and properties of circles. With a few simplifying assumptions such as a perfectly round earth, young mathematicians calculate the lengths of various paths between satellite and stations....
CCSS Math Activities
Satellite
This isn't rocket science, you know. A performance task has learners use right triangle trigonometry to calculate distances from stations on Earth to a satellite. It also requires finding the distance between two stations along the...
Curated OER
Network This
Students determine the number of paths in a network with up to six vertices. They construct a network to solve a problem situation. They describe and defend the solution to a network problem.
Curated OER
Geometry Practice: Transformations, Isometries, and Tessellations
Five pages for geometry practice relating to symmetry provide mathematicians with exercises on transformations and symmetry, properties of isometries, compositions of transformations, tessellations with regular polygons, and other...
Curated OER
Step Into My Shoes
Students order their classmates from smallest to largest foot length. In this ordering their classmates from smallest to largest foot length lesson, students trace each of their classmates foot. Students read a story called, 'How Big...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Finding the Shortest Path
Students discover the shortest distance light travels from an object to the human eye, as the light from the object reflects off a single mirror. In the process they learn about reflection in a line, congruent angles, angle bisectors,...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Shortest Path
Students graph three functions on the same domain that go through the same three points. They then find the shortest of each of the paths through these points using the CAS of their TI-89 and calculus.
Other
Plane Math: Activities: Flight Path
Students work in groups to find the shortest path between two cities. The activity explores problem solving, number relationships, estimation, and measurement. The resource consists of a lesson plan, group activity instructions, lesson...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Numb3 Rs: Driving With Djikstra
Based off of the hit television show NUMB3RS, this lesson introduces students to one of the prominent algorithms in graph theory used to find shortest paths -- the Djikstra Algorithm. The lesson includes four graphs of increasing...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Numb3 Rs: Navigating Networks
Based off of the hit television show NUMB3RS, this lesson has students analyze different networks to determine the maximum flow rate of each network. This is done in the context of power plants supplying the community with electricity....