Florida B.E.S.T. MA.912.LT.2

MathGrades 9–12

B.E.S.T. Standard (Benchmark Cluster)

Apply optimization and techniques from Graph Theory to solve problems.

Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics

Cluster contents

MA.912.LT.2 is a B.E.S.T. standard. These are the benchmarks under it.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students represent routes, connections, or networks with vertices and edges. They use edge weights and graph methods to find the shortest, least costly, or most efficient solution.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students turn a situation into a graph with clear vertices, edges, and weights. They choose a suitable method, find an optimal solution, and justify why another option is not better.
Common Misconceptions: Students often choose the path with the fewest edges instead of the lowest total weight. They may confuse visiting every vertex with using every edge. A locally cheapest choice does not always produce the best overall solution.
How to Assess It: Give students edges A-B = 4, A-C = 2, C-B = 1, B-D = 3, and C-D = 7. Ask them to find and justify the shortest path from A to D.

Lesson moves

Use string, sticky notes, and distance cards to build a weighted network, then have groups find and verify the shortest route.
Ask students to write: When can a route with more edges cost less than a route with fewer edges?
Run a network challenge where pairs find shortest paths and minimum spanning trees, then check each other's totals.
Map school bus stops and travel times, then design a route that minimizes total time while visiting every stop.

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