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A graph consists of a finite number of points (nodes) connected by lines (arcs).
Definitions
- In a complete graph every node is connected by an arc to each of the other nodes. There are
arcs in a complete graph with n nodes.
- In a connected graph there are no isolated nodes.
- A trail is a sequence of arcs such that the end node of one arc is the start node of the next.
- A closed trail (or cycle) is a route through the nodes which starts and finishes in the same place. No arc is used more than once. Only the start node is used more than once.
- A path is a trail where no node is passed more than once.
- The order of a node is the number of arcs meeting at that node.
- An Eulerian graph is a connected graph which has a closed trail containing every arc precisely once. This can occur if and only if every node is even.
- A semi-Eulerian graph is a connected graph which has a trail (not closed) containing every arc precisely once. It occurs when a graph has 2 odd nodes: the trail starts at one odd node and ends at the other.
- A planar graph is one which can be drawn so that arcs do not cross each other.
- A tree is a connected graph with no cycles.
- The spanning tree of a graph G is a subgraph which contains all the nodes of G, with no cycles.
Matrix formulation
Networks can be represented by matrices. If the network has only 2 way links (no arrows) the matrix is symmetrical about a diagonal drawn from top left to bottom right.
| | A | B | C | D
|
| A | | 2 | 4 |
|
| B | 2 | | 3 |
|
| C | 4 | 3 | | 1
|
| D | | | 1 |
|
Also See
See the other D1 notes:
- Algorithms
- Sorting algorithms
- Packing algorithms
- Graphs and networks
- Minimum connector problems
- The shortest path
- Route inspection
- The travelling salesman problem
- Linear programming
- The simplex algorithm
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