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What is the minimum number of edges in a strongly connected directed graph with n vertices?

A strongly connected directed graph with n vertices has at least n edges. This minimum is achieved when the graph forms a single directed cycle.

Conditions

  • The graph is directed.
  • The graph is strongly connected.
  • The graph has n vertices.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify the number of vertices n.
  2. Apply the formula for the minimum number of edges: n.
  3. Understand that a directed cycle with n vertices has exactly n edges and is strongly connected.

Example

For a directed graph with 5 vertices (n=5n=5), the minimum number of edges is 5. The instructor shows a directed cycle with 5 vertices to illustrate this.

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that a strongly connected graph needs as many edges as a complete graph.
  • Confusing the minimum number of edges in a connected undirected graph (n-1) with that in a strongly connected directed graph (n).

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