Edexcel D1 — Question 4

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleD1 (Decision Mathematics 1)
TopicPermutations & Arrangements
TypeAssignment/allocation matching problems

4. This question should be answered on the sheet provided. The Prime Minister is planning a reshuffle and the table indicates which posts each of the six ministers involved would be willing to accept.
MinisterGovernment Position
\(P\)Chancellor ( \(C\) )
\(Q\)Foreign Secretary ( \(F\) ), Minister for Education ( \(E\) )
\(R\)Minister for Defence ( \(D\) ), Minister for Industry ( \(I\) )
SMinister for Defence ( \(D\) ), Home Secretary ( \(H\) )
\(T\)Home Secretary (H)
\(U\)Chancellor ( \(C\) ), Foreign Secretary ( \(F\) )
  1. Draw a bipartite graph to model this situation. Initially the Prime Minister matches Minister \(P\) to the post of Chancellor, \(Q\) to Foreign Secretary, \(R\) to Defence and \(T\) to Home Secretary.
  2. Draw this initial matching.
  3. Starting from this initial matching use the maximum matching algorithm to find a complete matching. Indicate clearly how the algorithm has been applied, listing any alternating paths used. Minister \(U\), on reflection, now expresses no interest in becoming Foreign Secretary.
  4. Explain why no complete matching is now possible.
    (2 marks)