Edexcel D1 — Question 6 7 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleD1 (Decision Mathematics 1)
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicRoute Inspection
TypeOptimal starting/finishing vertices
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a standard Route Inspection Problem application requiring the Chinese Postman algorithm to identify odd-degree vertices and find minimum pairings. Part (a) is textbook procedure (identify odd vertices, find shortest paths, pair them), while part (b) requires recognizing that starting/finishing at two odd vertices eliminates the need to repeat one pairing. Straightforward for students who know the algorithm, slightly easier than average A-level questions due to its algorithmic nature.
Spec7.04e Route inspection: Chinese postman, pairing odd nodes

6. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-6_757_1253_262_406} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
\end{figure} Figure 4 models a network of water pipes that need to be inspected. The number on each arc represents the length, in km , of that pipe. A machine is to be used to inspect for leaks. The machine must travel along each pipe at least once, starting and finishing at the same point, and the length of the inspection route is to be minimised.
[0pt] [The total weight of the network is 185 km ]
  1. Starting at A, use an appropriate algorithm to find the length of the shortest inspection route. You should make your method and working clear. Given that it is now permitted to start and finish the inspection at two distinct vertices,
  2. state which two vertices should be chosen to minimise the length of the new route. Give a reason for your answer.

6.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{552f3296-ad61-448b-8168-6709fb359fa2-6_757_1253_262_406}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Figure 4}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Figure 4 models a network of water pipes that need to be inspected. The number on each arc represents the length, in km , of that pipe.

A machine is to be used to inspect for leaks. The machine must travel along each pipe at least once, starting and finishing at the same point, and the length of the inspection route is to be minimised.\\[0pt]
[The total weight of the network is 185 km ]
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Starting at A, use an appropriate algorithm to find the length of the shortest inspection route. You should make your method and working clear.

Given that it is now permitted to start and finish the inspection at two distinct vertices,
\item state which two vertices should be chosen to minimise the length of the new route. Give a reason for your answer.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel D1  Q6 [7]}}