Shortest path connecting two points on a sphere

As a detective, my first step to solving the mystery of a crossword clue is to break it down and analyze its keywords. In this case, the keywords are ‘shortest path,’ ‘connecting,’ ‘two points,’ and ‘sphere.’ My insights led me to realize that the clue is referring to the shortest distance between two points on a spherical object, which is commonly known as an “arc.” This realization was made possible due to my background knowledge and understanding of basic geometric shapes, as well as the concept of arc length in mathematics. By combining my analytical skills with my understanding of geometry and mathematics, I was able to arrive at the answer ‘arc‘ for the crossword clue. Overall, the thought process involved breaking down the clue, understanding its keywords, and applying relevant knowledge to solve the mystery.