Path (graph theory)

A path in graph theory is like a map that helps us find a way from one place to another. Imagine you are playing a game and you need to get to the other side of a big maze. You start by taking one step in a certain direction and you keep walking until you reach your destination.

In the world of graphs, each step you take is called a "vertex" (or a "node"), and the connection between two vertices is called an "edge". A path is a sequence of vertices that are connected by edges in such a way that you can go from the starting vertex to the ending vertex by following the path.

Think of it like stepping stones in a river. You can only jump to a stone that is right next to the one you are on, and you keep jumping from one stone to the next until you reach the other side of the river. In graph theory, a path is like a series of stepping stones that take you from one vertex to another.

Paths can be long or short, straight or crooked, but they always have a beginning and an end. Just like following a road to get from your house to your friend's house, you can follow a path in a graph to reach your destination. And just like in a real map, knowing the different paths in a graph can help you make better decisions and find the most efficient way to get to where you want to go.