Path (graph theory)

In graph theory, a path in a graph is a finite or infinite sequence of edges which joins a sequence of vertices which, by most definitions, are all distinct (and since the vertices are distinct, so are the edges). A directed path (sometimes called dipath[1]) in a directed graph is a finite or infinite sequence of edges which joins a sequence of distinct vertices, but with the added restriction that the edges be all directed in the same direction.

Paths are fundamental concepts of graph theory, described in the introductory sections of most graph theory texts. See e.g. Bondy and Murty (1976), Gibbons (1985), or Diestel (2005). Korte et al. (1990) cover more advanced algorithmic topics concerning paths in graphs.

A three-dimensional hypercube graph showing a Hamiltonian path in red, and a longest induced path in bold black.

Contents
1 Definitions
1.1 Walk, trail, and path
1.2 Directed walk, directed trail, and directed path
2 Examples
3 Finding paths
4 See also