Applications of Graph Theory - Assignment Example

In the case of Konigsberg problem, there were seven bridges that connected two islands to the mainland in Konigsberg. People wondered whether one could walk through the seven bridges once. Euler solved the problem by using the graph theory to prove that one could not walk through all the seven bridges once (Shirinivas et al., 2010). Concepts of graph theory are extensively applied in models and study applications in different fields. For example, graph theory concepts are used to study molecules, atoms and bond construction in chemistry.

Graph theory concepts are also applied to explore diffusion mechanisms and to measure actors’ prestige in sociology. In biology, graph theory concepts such as vertex represent areas occupied by the particular species population. Edges may represent movement or migration path followed by these species. These concepts are also important in tracking the speed at which disease spread and parasite migration in the species. Several graph theoretical concepts are applied in solving different problems in operation research.

For example, the graph theory concepts are used to determine the optimal assignment of tasks to individuals (Shirinivas et al., 2010). Computer science utilizes graph theoretical concepts broadly in many sections. These sections include networking, programming, data mining, security, and databases. Networking is a major area where graph theory is widely applied. The two major applications of graph theoretical concepts in networking are Shortest Path Algorithms (SPAs) and the Minimum spanning tree concept.

Computer network refers to a linkage of one computer to another in order to exchange or interchange information. Computer networking depends heavily on theoretical concepts of graph theory. A simple computer network can be represented using the graph theory (Hart, 2013). Shortest Path Algorithms (SPAs) are graph theory concepts that are widely used