traveling salesman problem

noun

1. any mathematical problem that involves determination of the shortest path through several points.

Word History and Origins

Origin of traveling salesman problem¹

First recorded in 1950–55; from the idea that a traveling salesman would face such a problem in making rounds within a territory

Example Sentences

So to use gendered language, scheduling is the classic “traveling salesman” problem—how do you optimize a bunch of different “stops” to form a route?

From Scientific American

For example, it gave a new look to optimization questions, such as the traveling salesman problem, and the science of neural connections.

From Scientific American

The funny thing about the traveling salesman problem is that nobody seems to stop and ask what exactly is in the case, what is he showing all his customers as he goes door to door?

From The Verge

Often when you’re speaking to computer scientists, the traveling salesman problem will come up.

From The Verge

In it he explores dozens of artworks that stem from principles behind the number pi, the puzzle of the Traveling Salesman Problem, esoteric geometry, and more.

From Scientific American