(Each small circle represents a different station) What is the maximum number of different paths that exist between the station A and the station B?

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Submitted by examrobotsa on

Q: 16 (IAS/2007)
(Each small circle represents a different station) What is the maximum number of different paths that exist between the station A and the station B?

question_subject: 

Maths

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,1,5,1,1,4,0

keywords: 

{'different paths': [0, 0, 1, 0], 'different station': [0, 0, 1, 0], 'maximum number': [1, 0, 1, 2], 'small circle': [0, 0, 1, 0]}

The question requires calculating the total number of unique paths between station A and station B.

Option 1 suggests 28 paths, option 2 suggests 31 paths, option 3 suggest 33 paths, and option 4 suggests 35 paths. These numbers presumably represent different calculations of possible paths.

The correct answer is option 2, which proposes that there are 31 unique routes. However, without seeing the diagram of the stations, it is difficult to elaborate further on each specific option.

Generally speaking, the number of paths between two points in such a setting depends on the network`s layout. If there are multiple ways to go from station A to station B through various intermediate stations, each unique combination of those stations would count as a different path.

If there is disagreement about the correct answer, it could be due to different interpretations of how to count unique paths or a simple mathematical error. To provide a definite explanation, the specific network diagram would be necessary.