10. Network Flows
The chapter delves into the concept of network flows, specifically in the context of linear programming and the Ford-Fulkerson algorithm. It explains the representation of network flows using directed graphs containing source and sink vertices, and highlights the significance of flow conservation and optimization. Additionally, it discusses the relationship between maximum flow and minimum cut, demonstrating how these principles are crucial for efficiently managing resources in a network.
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What we have learnt
- Network flows are represented in directed graphs with specific source and sink vertices.
- Flow conservation must ensure that the inflow equals outflow at each internal node of the network.
- The maximum flow from the source to the sink cannot exceed the capacity defined by the minimum cut in the network.
Key Concepts
- -- Network Flow
- A flow in a network is the amount of flow sent from a source node to a sink node through a network of edges, adhering to certain constraints.
- -- FordFulkerson Algorithm
- An algorithm used to compute the maximum flow in a flow network by incrementally augmenting paths until no further improvement is possible.
- -- Residual Graph
- A transformed version of the original flow graph that reflects the remaining capacities after some flow has been assigned, including backward edges to allow flow adjustment.
- -- Max Flow Min Cut Theorem
- A theorem stating that the maximum flow in a network is equal to the capacity of the smallest cut that separates the source and the sink.
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