Computer scienceAlgorithms and Data StructuresData structuresGraphsGraphs: basics

Graphs: basic terminology

The less than relation

Report a typo

Let's say that two numbers $x$ and $y$ are in the "less than" relation if $x < y$ . To represent such a relation graphically, we can draw a node for each of the numbers and put a directed edge from $x$ to $y$ .

Which of the following graphs correctly represents the "less than" relation for the numbers $1$ , $2$ , and $3$ ?

Note: The process of checking if

x < y

in this scenario involves establishing a directed edge from

x

y

(i.e.

x \rightarrow y

), and performing this check for all

3

pairs of nodes. But the fact that we're representing "less than" relation using a directed edge between

2

numbers represented as vertex/node, we are indirectly and perhaps unknowingly utilizing the concept of a graph.

This is what makes graphs truly remarkable and applicable to a wide range of real-world problems. Some problems exhibit a clear graph-like structure, where the application of graphs is evident. However, there are also numerous situations where graphs can be applied even when their usage may seem initially improbable, or just not that easy to comprehend and think about.

option graphs representing the "less than" relation between nodes

Select one option from the list

Graph 1

Graph 2

Graph 3

Graph 4

___

Create a free account to access the full topic