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Date November 2016 Marks available 2 Reference code 16N.3dm.hl.TZ0.2
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Discrete mathematics Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

In this question no graphs are required to be drawn. Use the handshaking lemma and other results about graphs to explain why,

a graph cannot exist with a degree sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 91, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9;

[2]
a.

a simple, connected, planar graph cannot exist with a degree sequence of 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 54, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5;

[3]
b.

a tree cannot exist with a degree sequence of 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 31, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3.

[3]
c.

Markscheme

assume such a graph exists

by the handshaking lemma the sum of the degrees equals twice the number of edges     R1

but 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9=451+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9=45 which is odd     R1

this is a contradiction so graph does not exist     AG

[2 marks]

a.

assume such a graph exists

since the graph is simple and connected (and v=6>2v=6>2) then e3v6     R1

by the handshaking lemma 4+4+4+4+5+5=2e so e=13     A1

hence 133×66=12     A1

this is a contradiction so graph does not exist     AG

[3 marks]

b.

assume such a graph exists

a tree with 6 vertices must have 5 edges (since VE+1=2 for a tree)     R1

using the Handshaking Lemma 1+1+2+2+3+3=2×5 implies 12=10     M1A1

this is a contradiction so graph does not exist     AG

[3 marks]

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Topic 10 - Option: Discrete mathematics » 10.7 » Graphs, vertices, edges, faces. Adjacent vertices, adjacent edges.
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