Math Problem Statement

Which of the following graphs are trees?

Solution

To determine which of the graphs are trees, let's review the characteristics of a tree:

  1. A tree is a connected graph with no cycles.
  2. A tree with nn vertices has exactly n1n - 1 edges.

Let's examine each graph:

  • Graph A: There are cycles present, as each vertex is connected in such a way that multiple paths can form loops. Therefore, it is not a tree.

  • Graph B: This graph is connected, but there are cycles evident in its structure as well. So, it is not a tree.

  • Graph C: There are also cycles here, indicating it is not a tree.

  • Graph D: This graph has no cycles and is connected. Additionally, the number of edges is exactly one less than the number of vertices, meeting the criteria for a tree. Graph D is a tree.

Conclusion: The correct answer is Graph D.

Would you like further details or have any questions about this?

Here are some additional questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. What is the difference between a tree and a forest in graph theory?
  2. How can we identify cycles in a graph efficiently?
  3. What are the applications of trees in computer science?
  4. How does the concept of a Minimum Spanning Tree relate to this problem?
  5. What are the properties of binary trees compared to general trees?

Tip: A quick way to check if a graph is a tree is to confirm it's connected and verify it has n1n - 1 edges for nn vertices, which eliminates the need for cycle detection.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Graph Theory
Tree
Cycle
Connected Graph

Formulas

For a graph with n vertices to be a tree, it must have n-1 edges

Theorems

Definition of Tree in Graph Theory

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12