Study Guide

Optimization & linear programming

Undergraduate materials for Discrete and network optimization: Shortest path.

What this standard means

• Shortest path

_See printable PDF for diagram._

How to use the 20 practice sets

| Sets | When to use | | --- | --- | | 1–5 | Intro — explore together, short written items | | 6–10 | Core skills — diagrams and written practice | | 11–15 | Mixed review — explain thinking | | 16–20 | Stretch — word problems and mastery tasks |

Pacing: 10–15 minutes per session.

How to practice

1. Define variables with units 2. Check that answers are reasonable 3. Separate setup from computation

_See printable PDF for diagram._

Common misconceptions

Address these early. Name the misconception, show a correct model, then have students retry a short item.

• Unit errors — watch for this when practicing shortest path; pause, model the correct approach, then retry.
• Solving without interpreting parameters — watch for this when practicing shortest path; pause, model the correct approach, then retry.

Quick checks

Use as 2–5 minute formative checks mid-lesson. Students should finish independently.

1. In 1–2 minutes: complete one straightforward item aligned to Shortest path. 2. True or false (and fix if false): a common statement about shortest path. 3. Write or show one example that correctly demonstrates shortest path.

Exit tickets

End-of-lesson evidence of learning. Collect, sort into got-it / almost / reteach, and plan the next day.

1. Exit ticket: Solve one item for Shortest path and circle the strategy you used. 2. Exit ticket: In one sentence, what does shortest path mean? Give a tiny example.

Challenge problems

Stretch tasks for students ready for more complexity after core practice.

1. Challenge: Create a multi-step problem that requires shortest path, then solve it. 2. Challenge: Find and correct the error in a flawed solution related to Shortest path. Explain the fix.

Enrichment questions

Open-ended extensions that deepen understanding and connections across standards.

1. Enrichment: How does Shortest path connect to an earlier or later standard in Discrete and network optimization? 2. Enrichment: Invent a real-world scenario where shortest path matters and explain the math.

Math talk prompts

Use for turn-and-talk, whole-class discussion, or written reflection.

• How would you explain shortest path to a classmate?
• What model or strategy helps most with Shortest path?
• Where might someone go wrong on this standard, and how would you help them?

Vocabulary review

Revisit these terms with examples, non-examples, and student-friendly definitions.

• shortest path — the focus skill for Shortest path
• standard — what students should know and be able to do (Shortest path)
• domain — Discrete and network optimization
• explain — describe reasoning with words, models, or equations

Review and practice tests

1. Start Review 1/10 when sets 1–3 feel comfortable. 2. Move up one review level with little help. 3. Use Practice Test 4/10–6/10 for mid-standard checks. 4. Practice Test 10/10 is the mastery bar for Shortest path.

• [ ] Builds models from context
• [ ] Solves standard applied problems
• [ ] Interprets solutions with units

Materials for this standard

• Practice Problems — 20 printable sets (computational and word problems)
• Word Problems — 20 word-only sets plus 10 difficulty-tier sets
• Review — 10 difficulty levels
• Practice Test — 10 difficulty levels
• Answer key — for parents and tutors