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NSWMaths Standard 2Quick questions
Year 12: Networks
Quick questions on Critical path analysis: precedence tables and minimum project duration for HSC Maths Standard 2
12short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is what is a project network?Show answer
A project network is a directed graph representing a project. Vertices are events (states of completion). Edges are activities (tasks to be done). Each activity has a duration.
What is precedence table?Show answer
From this table, you build the network.
What is building the network?Show answer
1. Identify activities with no predecessors. These start at the project-start node. 2.
What is paths through the network?Show answer
A path is a sequence of activities from the project start to the project end. The length (duration) of a path is the sum of its activity durations.
What is the critical path?Show answer
The critical path is the longest path through the network. Its length is the minimum possible project duration: no matter how you schedule the activities, the project cannot finish faster than the critical-path length, because that sequence of activities must happen in order.
What is multiple critical paths?Show answer
If two or more paths tie at the longest length, all of them are critical. All activities on any critical path are critical.
What is why this matters?Show answer
:::worked Worked example ### Australian kitchen renovation
What is construction project (Sydney apartment build)?Show answer
A simplified construction project:
What is confusing shortest with critical?Show answer
The critical path is the LONGEST, not the shortest. The shortest path would let you finish too fast and violate precedence.
What is missing a path?Show answer
Check every path from start to end. The critical one might not be obvious.
What is skipping the network diagram?Show answer
Markers want to see the network drawn before the paths are listed. A clean diagram earns easy marks.
What is mis-summing path durations?Show answer
Add the durations of all activities on the path, including the first and last. :::