Edexcel D1 — Question 4 8 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleD1 (Decision Mathematics 1)
Marks8
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMatchings and Allocation
TypeMaximum matching algorithm application
DifficultyModerate -0.5 This is a standard application of the maximum matching algorithm from D1, requiring students to find alternating paths and improve matchings systematically. While it requires careful bookkeeping across multiple steps, the algorithm is mechanical and well-practiced, making it easier than average A-level questions that require problem-solving or proof.
Spec7.02f Bipartite test: colouring argument7.02r Graph modelling: model and solve problems using graphs

4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-4_549_586_285_356} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-4_545_583_287_1128} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Six airline pilots, Alice, Dan, Miya, Phil, Sophie and Tom, are to be assigned to six flights, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. A bipartite graph showing the possible allocations is shown in Figure 2, and an initial matching is given in Figure 3. The maximum matching algorithm will be used to obtain a complete matching.
  1. Starting from A, find an alternating path that leads to an improved matching and list the improved matching that it gives.
    (3)
  2. Using the improved matching found in part (a) as the new initial matching, find a complete matching. You must state any alternating paths you use and list your final complete matching.

4.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-4_549_586_285_356}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Figure 2}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-4_545_583_287_1128}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Figure 3}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Six airline pilots, Alice, Dan, Miya, Phil, Sophie and Tom, are to be assigned to six flights, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. A bipartite graph showing the possible allocations is shown in Figure 2, and an initial matching is given in Figure 3.

The maximum matching algorithm will be used to obtain a complete matching.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Starting from A, find an alternating path that leads to an improved matching and list the improved matching that it gives.\\
(3)
\item Using the improved matching found in part (a) as the new initial matching, find a complete matching. You must state any alternating paths you use and list your final complete matching.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel D1  Q4 [8]}}