Edexcel D1 — Question 5 12 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleD1 (Decision Mathematics 1)
Marks12
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicShortest Path
TypeRoute inspection starting and ending at same vertex
DifficultyModerate -0.5 Part (a) is a standard Dijkstra's algorithm application, which is routine for D1 students. Part (b) is a textbook route inspection problem requiring identification of odd vertices and pairing them optimally - a well-practiced technique. The question is straightforward with no novel insights required, making it slightly easier than average A-level maths questions overall.
Spec7.04a Shortest path: Dijkstra's algorithm7.04e Route inspection: Chinese postman, pairing odd nodes

5. This question should be answered on the sheet provided. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{e1fd42f7-c97c-4bf2-92d3-69afc8bb6e29-05_956_1561_312_242} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a weighted network representing the paths in a certain part of St. Andrews. The numbers on the arcs represent the lengths of the paths in metres.
  1. Use Dijkstra's algorithm to find a route of minimum length from \(P\) to \(F\). You do not need to consider routes via vertex \(Q\). You must show clearly:
    1. the order in which you labelled the vertices,
    2. how you found a route of minimum length from your labelling. Each night a security guard walks along each of the paths in Figure 2 at least once.
  2. The security office is at vertex \(A\), so she must start and finish her inspection at \(A\). Find the minimum distance that she must walk each night.
    (4 marks)

5. This question should be answered on the sheet provided.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{e1fd42f7-c97c-4bf2-92d3-69afc8bb6e29-05_956_1561_312_242}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 2}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Figure 2 shows a weighted network representing the paths in a certain part of St. Andrews. The numbers on the arcs represent the lengths of the paths in metres.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Use Dijkstra's algorithm to find a route of minimum length from $P$ to $F$. You do not need to consider routes via vertex $Q$.

You must show clearly:
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item the order in which you labelled the vertices,
\item how you found a route of minimum length from your labelling.

Each night a security guard walks along each of the paths in Figure 2 at least once.
\end{enumerate}\item The security office is at vertex $A$, so she must start and finish her inspection at $A$. Find the minimum distance that she must walk each night.\\
(4 marks)
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel D1  Q5 [12]}}