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511

answers:

5

In graph theory, what is the distinction between minimal distance (which Dijkstra's algorithm finds), and minimal path (which I'm not sure what it is)?

A: 

I'm not 100% sure, but it sounds like the minimal path would be the list of vertices visited when traversing the minimal distance path from vertex A to vertex B.

Drew Hall
A: 

Minimal distance is the same as minimal path.

mmattax
+1  A: 

Minimal distance = least sum of edge weights. Minimal path = least edges.

Ie// It's a shorter path to fly from Vancouver to Toronto and then to Winipeg even though it's a shorter distance to fly from Vancouver to Calgary to Regina and then To Winipeg.

Edit: Flip that around I think.

James
[[citation wanted]]
BCS
+6  A: 

Minimal path is the set of edges which when traversed cover the least amount of distance between two edges. Minimal distance is the sum of the distance between the edges of a minimal path.

JaredPar
+2  A: 

distance is scalar; a number. path is a list of vertex/edge pairs?

ejgottl