Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2025/ii/paper-3/17f/b/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 ii Paper 3 17F b Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The Euler formula for a connected planar graph follows by induction on the number of cycle edges. If is a tree, then and , so . Otherwise remove an edge belonging to a cycle. The graph remains connected, while the two faces adjoining that edge merge: both and decrease by one. Thus is unchanged, and induction reaches a tree.
Every edge borders two face sides, so the sum of the face sizes is . If every face has size at least , thenSubstitute from Euler's formula:and hence the planar girth edge bound
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