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Date May 2008 Marks available 10 Reference code 08M.3dm.hl.TZ1.4
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Discrete mathematics Time zone TZ1
Command term List and Hence Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph G has the following cost adjacency table.

\[\begin{array}{*{20}{c|ccccc}}
  {}&{\text{A}}&{\text{B}}&{\text{C}}&{\text{D}}&{\text{E}} \\
\hline
  {\text{A}}& {\text{ - }}&9&{\text{ - }}&8&4 \\
  {\text{B}}& 9&{\text{ - }}&7&{\text{ - }}&2 \\
  {\text{C}}& {\text{ - }}&7&{\text{ - }}&7&3 \\
  {\text{D}}& 8&{\text{ - }}&7&{\text{ - }}&5 \\
  {\text{E}}& 4&2&3&5&{\text{ - }}
\end{array}\]

Draw G in a planar form.

[2]
a.

Giving a reason, determine the maximum number of edges that could be added to G while keeping the graph both simple and planar.

[4]
b.

List all the distinct Hamiltonian cycles in G beginning and ending at A, noting that two cycles each of which is the reverse of the other are to be regarded as identical. Hence determine the Hamiltonian cycle of least weight.

[10]
c.

Markscheme

     A2

[2 marks]

a.

For a simple planar graph containing triangles, \(e \leqslant 3v - 6\)     M1

Here \(v = 5{\text{ , so }}e \leqslant 9\) .     A1

There are already 8 edges so the maximum number of edges that could be added is 1.     R1

This can be done e.g. AC or BD     R1

[4 marks]

b.

The distinct Hamiltonian cycles are

ABCDEA     A2

ABCEDA     A2

ABECDA     A2

AEBCDA     A2

Note: Do not penalise extra cycles.

 

The weights are 32, 32, 29, 28 respectively.     A1

The Hamiltonian cycle of least weight is AEBCDA.     R1

[10 marks]

c.

Examiners report

A fairly common error in (a) was to draw a non-planar version of G, for which no credit was given. In (b), most candidates realised that only one extra edge could be added but a convincing justification was often not provided. Most candidates were reasonably successful in (c) although in some cases not all possible Hamiltonian cycles were stated.

a.

A fairly common error in (a) was to draw a non-planar version of G, for which no credit was given. In (b), most candidates realised that only one extra edge could be added but a convincing justification was often not provided. Most candidates were reasonably successful in (c) although in some cases not all possible Hamiltonian cycles were stated.

b.

A fairly common error in (a) was to draw a non-planar version of G, for which no credit was given. In (b), most candidates realised that only one extra edge could be added but a convincing justification was often not provided. Most candidates were reasonably successful in (c) although in some cases not all possible Hamiltonian cycles were stated.

c.

Syllabus sections

Topic 10 - Option: Discrete mathematics » 10.8 » Hamiltonian paths and cycles.

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