Introduction to In Degrees - 24.1.1 | 24. Topological Ordering of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG) | Design & Analysis of Algorithms - Vol 1
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Understanding In Degrees

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's start with the basics—what do you think is meant by 'in degree' in a directed graph? Does anyone want to share?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it the number of edges coming into a vertex?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The in degree of a vertex tells us how many edges are directed towards it. Think of it like counting how many tasks need to be completed before you can start your own task. We label each vertex according to these incoming edges.

Student 2
Student 2

So, if a vertex has an in degree of 0, it means there are no tasks pending for it to start?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! It indicates readiness. If we look at our example, vertices 1 and 2 have an in degree of 0, meaning no incoming edges.

Student 3
Student 3

What happens when we remove a vertex?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! When we eliminate a vertex, we also remove the edges coming into it, which in turn reduces the in degrees of its connected vertices. This process leads us to find new vertices with an in degree of 0. Ensure to remember this: Remove, Recalculate, Re-evaluate!

Topological Ordering

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s talk about topological ordering. Can anyone tell me why this is important in task management?

Student 4
Student 4

It's about completing tasks in order based on their requirements, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Topological sorting helps us sequence tasks so that all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled beforehand. What do we do after eliminating a vertex?

Student 1
Student 1

We check the in degrees of the connected vertices again.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! After removing a vertex, we adjust the in degrees of its neighbors. This may reveal new vertices that can now be tackled. Remember this acronym: 'TARE'—Topological, Adjust, Reveal, Enumerate!

Student 2
Student 2

How can we ensure that we have a valid topological order?

Teacher
Teacher

A valid topological order will ensure that for every directed edge from vertex 'A' to vertex 'B', 'A' precedes 'B' in the ordering. This way, all dependencies are respected.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section introduces the concept of 'in degrees' in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), detailing how vertices are labeled and how in degrees are calculated during topological sorting.

Standard

In this section, we explore the definition of in degrees in the context of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). We follow an algorithmic approach to label vertices, remove them based on their in degrees, and understand how this impacts the graph structure, ultimately leading to a valid topological ordering of tasks.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

In this section, we delve into the essential concept of 'in degrees' within directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) and its significance for topological sorting. The in degree of a vertex refers to the number of edges directed into it from other vertices. We begin by labeling each vertex with its corresponding in degree, noting that vertices 1 and 2 possess an in degree of 0 (indicating no incoming edges), while vertex 3 has an in degree of 2. As we proceed with an example, we demonstrate how eliminating a vertex affects the in degrees of its adjacent vertices. By iteratively removing vertices with an in degree of 0 and updating the in degrees of connected vertices, we establish a sequence that leads to a valid topological ordering, ensuring all prerequisite tasks are completed before dependent tasks. Thus, the section concludes by presenting an algorithm involving adjacency matrices and lists for efficient in degree calculation and handling of the graph topology.

Youtube Videos

Design and Analysis of Algorithms Complete One Shot
Design and Analysis of Algorithms Complete One Shot

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Understanding In Degrees

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, let us apply the strategy to this DAG, so we first begin by labelling every vertex by its in degree. So, we have indicated the in degree of every vertex. So, for instance 1 and 2 have no incoming edges. So, they have in degree 0, vertex 3 has 2 edges coming in and in degree 2, vertex 8 has 4 edges coming inside and in degree as 4 and so on.

Detailed Explanation

In a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), each vertex can have incoming edges that determine its in degree. The in degree is simply the count of how many edges are directed towards a vertex. For example, if vertex 1 and vertex 2 have no edges pointing to them, their in degree is 0. Vertex 3 has 2 edges leading to it, resulting in an in degree of 2, while vertex 8 has 4 edges pointing towards it, giving it an in degree of 4.

Examples & Analogies

Think of in degree like the number of invitations received for a party. If you're hosting a party and no one invites you, your in degree is 0. If 2 people invite you, your in degree goes up to 2. Similarly, if 4 people invite you, it goes to 4. The more invitations (incoming edges) you have, the higher your in degree.

Choosing a Vertex with In Degree 0

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Now we have to pick up a vertex of in degree 0 enumerated and eliminated. So, we have a choice between 1 and 2, so let us suppose we start with 1. When we eliminate it, we also eliminate the edges going out of it. The edges coming into 3, 4, and 5 will reduce by 1 because vertex 1 is gone.

Detailed Explanation

After determining the in degrees, we look for vertices that have an in degree of 0. In this case, we can choose vertex 1 or vertex 2. Let's say we choose vertex 1. By selecting and eliminating vertex 1, we not only remove the vertex itself but also decrease the in degree of the vertices that had edges directed from vertex 1 (which are vertices 3, 4, and 5) by 1.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine vertex 1 is a person who organized a group project. When this person leaves the project (is eliminated), anyone who depended on them (vertices 3, 4, and 5) now needs to adjust their tasks since they can no longer rely on person 1's input. This adjustment reduces their workload (in degree) by 1.

Updating In Degrees After Elimination

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

What happens on eliminating 1 is that we reduce the in degrees of 3, 4, and 5 from 2, 1, 1 to 1, 0, 0.

Detailed Explanation

After eliminating vertex 1, we see that the in degrees of vertices 3, 4, and 5 are updated. If their initial in degrees were 2, 1, and 1 respectively, they are now adjusted to 1, 0, and 0. This reflects that one less edge points to vertex 3, while vertex 4 has no incoming edges left, hence it now has an in degree of 0.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like a class project where a student (vertex 1) has left the group. The remaining tasks (vertices 3, 4, and 5) now have fewer dependencies. If initially, task 3 required help from two students, after one student leaves, only one help is needed, hence the adjustment in the task's 'incoming help requests' (in degree). Task 4 no longer requires help from the student who left, meaning it can now be done independently.

Sequential Elimination of Vertices

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

We can choose any of the original vertices with in degree 0, which are now available. After choosing vertex 4, the in degrees of 6 and 8 also need to be updated. For instance, eliminating vertex 4 reduces the in degree of vertex 6 from 2 to 1.

Detailed Explanation

Once we have modified the previous vertices, we can continue to choose any vertex that now has an in degree of 0. For instance, after eliminating vertex 4, we need to adjust the in degrees of vertices that depend on it, such as vertex 6 which now has one less edge pointing towards it. The in degrees are continuously updated to reflect the current state of the graph.

Examples & Analogies

Going back to our class project analogy, after eliminating one student (vertex 1) and another task (vertex 4) that they were responsible for, the workload for other students (like task 6) becomes easier. If one student was dependent on two others for help, now that dependency is lessened as one of them is no longer part of the group.

Completing the Process

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

After proceeding through the elimination of available vertices, eventually we reach a point where we can only eliminate vertex 3, and this forms a valid topological ordering.

Detailed Explanation

As the process continues, we keep eliminating vertices with an in degree of 0. By carefully choosing and eliminating vertices, we eventually arrive at a realistic topological order for completion. This means that every vertex has been processed in a sequence that respects the directed edges of the graph.

Examples & Analogies

This can be compared to completing a series of assignments where each subsequent task is dependent on the completion of the previous one. Each task represents a vertex, and as you complete each one, you create an organized list of tasks completed, ensuring that prerequisite tasks are finished before moving on.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • In Degree: Refers to the number of edges coming into a vertex.

  • Topological Sort: An ordering of vertices respecting the directed edges.

  • Directed Acyclic Graph: A graph structure that does not contain cycles.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • In a project management scenario, tasks 'A' and 'B' both have an in degree of 0 as they do not have dependencies. Task 'C', which depends on both 'A' and 'B', has an in degree of 2.

  • If task 'A' is completed, and it had edges pointing towards 'C' and 'D', the in degrees of 'C' and 'D' will decrease by 1, potentially revealing new vertices with in degrees of 0.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In degrees mean edges come, into the vertex, numb its sum.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a teacher giving tasks to students. Only after a student completes their task, can their friends move to the next one—this is how in degrees govern the order of tasks!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember 'R3' for processing: Remove, Recalculate, Reveal.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use 'TOAR' to remember Topological Order

  • Tasks Organized After Requirements.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: In Degree

    Definition:

    The count of edges directed into a vertex from other vertices in a directed graph.

  • Term: Topological Sorting

    Definition:

    A linear ordering of vertices such that for every directed edge from vertex 'A' to vertex 'B', 'A' comes before 'B'.

  • Term: Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)

    Definition:

    A type of graph that is directed and does not contain any cycles.