What is the significance of the final vertex in the Dijkstra Algorithm?

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What is the significance of the final vertex in the Dijkstra Algorithm?

In the Dijkstra Algorithm, the final vertex holds significant importance as it represents the destination or target vertex for which we are finding the shortest path from the source vertex. The algorithm aims to find the shortest path from the source vertex to all other vertices in the graph, and the final vertex is the last vertex to be processed in this process.

The significance of the final vertex lies in the fact that once it is reached and processed, the algorithm terminates, and we have obtained the shortest path from the source vertex to all other vertices in the graph. The algorithm works by iteratively selecting the vertex with the minimum distance from the source vertex and updating the distances of its neighboring vertices. This process continues until all vertices have been processed, including the final vertex.

By reaching the final vertex, we ensure that the algorithm has explored all possible paths and updated the distances of all vertices in the graph. The final vertex acts as a termination point, indicating that the algorithm has completed its task of finding the shortest path from the source vertex to all other vertices.

Furthermore, the final vertex allows us to trace back the shortest path from the source vertex to the destination vertex. During the algorithm's execution, each vertex keeps track of its predecessor, which is the vertex that leads to the shortest path. By backtracking from the final vertex to the source vertex using these predecessors, we can reconstruct the shortest path.

In summary, the significance of the final vertex in the Dijkstra Algorithm lies in its role as the termination point, indicating the completion of the algorithm's execution and the attainment of the shortest path from the source vertex to all other vertices. Additionally, it allows us to trace back and reconstruct the shortest path from the source vertex to the destination vertex.