Salam Academy
Paper 3 · Module

Networks

3 subtopics≈ 130 min in total
  1. Kruskal's and Prim's algorithms

    A minimum spanning tree (MST) connects every vertex with the least total weight and no cycles; it has V−1V-1 edges. Kruskal adds the cheapest remaining edge unless it makes a cycle. Prim grows one tree, always adding the cheapest edge from the tree to a new vertex, and works directly on a distance matrix.

    ≈ 40 min
  2. Dijkstra's and Floyd's algorithms

    Dijkstra's algorithm finds the shortest route from one start vertex: give each vertex a working value, permanently label the smallest, update its neighbours, repeat. Trace back using edges where label difference equals edge weight. Floyd's algorithm finds shortest distances between every pair using a table, one vertex at a time.

    ≈ 45 min
  3. Route inspection and TSP

    To travel every edge and return, you must repeat edges between odd vertices. Pair the odd vertices to minimise the extra distance; route length == total weight ++ that extra. For visiting every vertex (TSP), bound the answer: nearest neighbour gives an upper bound; deleted vertex (MST of the rest ++ two cheapest edges) gives a lower bound.

    ≈ 45 min
AQA 7367 Networks — A Level Further Mathematics · Salam Academy