| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | D1 (Decision Mathematics 1) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Session | November |
| Marks | 17 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Critical Path Analysis |
| Type | Find missing early/late times |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.3 This is a standard D1 critical path analysis question covering routine techniques: finding early/late times using forward/backward pass, identifying critical path, and basic resource allocation. While multi-part with 7 marks total, each component requires straightforward application of algorithms taught in the specification with no novel problem-solving or insight required. Slightly easier than average due to the mechanical nature of the procedures. |
| Spec | 7.05a Critical path analysis: activity on arc networks7.05b Forward and backward pass: earliest/latest times, critical activities7.05c Total float: calculation and interpretation7.05d Latest start and earliest finish: independent and interfering float |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(x=12\), \(y=24\), \(z=19\) | B3,2,1,0 | |
| (3) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| Allows \(J\) and \(K\) to be given a unique representation using events | B1 | (1) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(F-E-I-J\) and \(G-H\) (dummies shown correctly) | M1A1 | (2) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| No effect; \(B\) has a total float of 2 | M1A1 | (2) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| e.g. Total of activities \(= 54\); \(54 \div 24 = 2.25\) so 2 workers not enough. \(54 \div 2 = 27\) hours per worker, so 2 workers cannot finish in 24 hours. Argument about activities that need to be completed by \(t=7\) or \(10\). | B2,1,0 | (2) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| Correct Gantt chart drawn with \(G,H\) on top row; \(F,E,I,K,L,M,N\) on second row; \(A,B\) on third row; \(C,D\) on bottom | M1A1 A1 A1 | (5) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| 10 extra hours \(\therefore £280\) | M1A1 | (2) |
| [17] |
# Question 8:
## Part (a)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $x=12$, $y=24$, $z=19$ | B3,2,1,0 | |
| | (3) | |
## Part (b)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Allows $J$ and $K$ to be given a unique representation using events | B1 | (1) |
## Part (c)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $F-E-I-J$ and $G-H$ (dummies shown correctly) | M1A1 | (2) |
## Part (d)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| No effect; $B$ has a total float of 2 | M1A1 | (2) |
## Part (e)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| e.g. Total of activities $= 54$; $54 \div 24 = 2.25$ so 2 workers not enough. $54 \div 2 = 27$ hours per worker, so 2 workers cannot finish in 24 hours. Argument about activities that need to be completed by $t=7$ or $10$. | B2,1,0 | (2) |
## Part (f)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Correct Gantt chart drawn with $G,H$ on top row; $F,E,I,K,L,M,N$ on second row; $A,B$ on third row; $C,D$ on bottom | M1A1 A1 A1 | (5) |
## Part (g)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| 10 extra hours $\therefore £280$ | M1A1 | (2) |
| | **[17]** | |
8.
\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Figure 5}
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4bbe6272-3900-42de-b287-599638ca75e4-10_1042_1847_335_115}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
The network in Figure 5 shows activities that need to be undertaken in order to complete a project. Each activity is represented by an arc. The number in brackets is the duration of the activity in hours. The early and late event times are shown at each node. The project can be completed in 24 hours.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find the values of $x , y$ and $z$.
\item Explain the use of the dummy activity in Figure 5.
\item List the critical activities.
\item Explain what effect a delay of one hour to activity $B$ would have on the time taken to complete the whole project.
The company which is to undertake this project has only two full time workers available. The project must be completed in 24 hours and in order to achieve this, the company is prepared to hire additional workers at a cost of $\pounds 28$ per hour. The company wishes to minimise the money spent on additional workers. Any worker can undertake any task and each task requires only one worker.
\item Explain why the company will have to hire additional workers in order to complete the project in 24 hours.
\item Schedule the tasks to workers so that the project is completed in 24 hours and at minimum cost to the company.
\item State the minimum extra cost to the company.
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel D1 2004 Q8 [17]}}