questions 17 and 18 refer to the following. the figure below represents a network of physically linked…

questions 17 and 18 refer to the following. the figure below represents a network of physically linked devices labeled a through i. a line between two devices indicates that the devices can communicate directly with each other. any information sent between two devices that are not directly connected must go through at least one other device. for example, in the network represented below, information can be sent directly between a and b, but information sent between devices a and g must go through other devices. 17 what is the minimum number of connections that must be broken or removed before device b can no longer communicate with device c? a three b four c five d six

questions 17 and 18 refer to the following. the figure below represents a network of physically linked devices labeled a through i. a line between two devices indicates that the devices can communicate directly with each other. any information sent between two devices that are not directly connected must go through at least one other device. for example, in the network represented below, information can be sent directly between a and b, but information sent between devices a and g must go through other devices. 17 what is the minimum number of connections that must be broken or removed before device b can no longer communicate with device c? a three b four c five d six

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze paths between B and C

We need to find all possible communication - paths from B to C and then determine the minimum number of connections to break. The direct connection between B and C is one path. Also, there are indirect paths like B - D - F - C, B - E - F - C etc.

Step2: Identify key connections

The key is to find the set of connections such that removing them disconnects B and C. By inspection, we can see that if we break the direct connection between B and C, and two other key connections that are part of all alternative paths (for example, the connections that are on the alternative routes from B to C through other nodes), we can achieve disconnection. The minimum number of connections to break is three.

Answer:

A. Three